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

The most tyrannical of governments are those which make crimes of opinions, for everyone has an inalienable right to his thoughts.

Everyone has as much right as he has might.

The more we understand individual things, the more we understand God.

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

The things which ... are esteemed as the greatest good of all ... can be reduced to these three headings, to wit : Riches, Fame, and Pleasure. With these three the mind is so engrossed that it cannot scarcely think of any other good.

Fear cannot be without hope nor hope without fear.