There is no fear without some hope, and no hope without some fear.

The supreme mystery of despotism, its prop and stay, is to keep men in a state of deception, and with the specious title of religion to cloak the fear by which they must be held in check, so that they will fight for their servitude as if for salvation.

It is usually the case with most men that their nature is so constituted that they pity those who fare badly and envy those who fare well.

Laws which prescribe what everyone must believe, and forbid men to say or write anything against this or that opinion, are often passed to gratify, or rather to appease the anger of those who cannot abide independent minds.

Human infirmity in moderating and checking the emotions I name bondage : for, when a man is a prey to his emotions, he is not his own master, but lies at the mercy of fortune : so much so, that he is often compelled, while seeing that which is better for him, to follow that which is worse.

I shall consider human actions and desires in exactly the same manner, as though I were concerned with lines, planes and solids.

In the mind there is no absolute or free will.