Better that right counsels be known to enemies than that the evil secrets of tyrants should be concealed from the citizens. They who can treat secretly of the affairs of a nation have it absolutely under their authority; and as they plot against the enemy in time of war, so do they against the citizens in time of peace.

I do not presume that I have found the best philosophy, I know that I understand the true philosophy.

A good thing which prevents us from enjoying a greater good is in truth an evil.

According as each has been educated, so he repents of or glories in his actions.

self-preservation is the primary and only foundation of virtue.

All laws which can be violated without doing any one any injury are laughed at. Nay, so far are they from doing anything to control the desires and passions of menб that, on the contrary, they direct and incite men's thoughts the more toward those very objects, for we always strive toward what is forbidden and desire the things we are not allowed to have. And men of leisure are never deficient in the ingenuity needed to enable them to outwit laws framed to regulate things which cannot be entirely forbidden... He who tries to determine everything by law will foment crime rather than lessen it.

The greatest good is the knowledge of the union which the mind has with the whole nature.