It is sure that those are most desirous of honour or glory who cry out loudest of its abuse and the vanity of the world.

Men believe themselves to be free, simply because they are conscious of their actions, and unconscious of the causes whereby those actions are determined.

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

the ultimate aim of government is not to rule, or restrain by fear, nor to exact obedience, but to free every man from fear that he may live in all possible security... In fact the true aim of government is liberty.

Fame has also this great drawback, that if we pursue it, we must direct our lives so as to please the fancy of men.

I would warn you that I do not attribute to nature either beauty or deformity, order or confusion. Only in relation to our imagination can things be called beautiful or ugly, well-ordered or confused.

Indulge yourself in pleasures only in so far as they are necessary for the preservation of health.