The more a government strives to curtail freedom of speech, the more obstinately is it resisted; not indeed by the avaricious, ... but by those whom good education, sound morality, and virtue have rendered more free.

If the way which I have pointed out as leading to this result (i.e., power over the emotions by which the wise man surpasses the ignorant man) seems exceedingly hard, it may nevertheless be discovered. Needs must it be hard, since it is so seldom found. How would it be possible, if salvation were ready to our hand, and could without great labour be found, that it should be by almost all men neglected? But all things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.

I make this chief distinction between religion and superstition, that the latter is founded on ignorance, the former on knowledge.

Statesman are suspected of plotting against mankind, rather than consulting their interests, and are esteemed more crafty than learned.

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

Philosophy has no end in view save truth; faith looks for nothing but obedience and piety.

Men govern nothing with more difficulty than their tongues, and can moderate their desires more than their words.