In the mind there is no absolute or free will; but the mind is determined to wish this or that by a cause, which has also been determined by another cause, and this last by another cause, and so on to infinity.

The world would be happier if men had the same capacity to be silent that they have to speak.

He who seeks to regulate everything by law is more likely to arouse vices than to reform them. It is best to grant what cannot be abolished, even though it be in itself harmful. How many evils spring from luxury, envy, avarice, drunkenness and the like, yet these are tolerated because they cannot be prevented by legal enactments.

Men are especially intolerant of serving and being ruled by, their equals.

Sadness diminishes a man's powers

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

Men who are ruled by reason desire nothing for themselves which they would not wish for all mankind.