All the good maxims which are in the world fail when applied to one's self.

When we see a natural style, we are astonished and charmed; for we expected to see an author, and we find a person.

It is dangerous to tell the people that the laws are unjust; for they obey them only because they think them just. Therefore it isnecessary to tell them at the same time that they must obey them because they are laws, just as they must obey superiors, not because they are just, but because they are superiors. In this way all sedition is prevented.

Imagination is the deceptive part in man, the mistress of error and falsehood.

The world is ruled by force, not by opinion; but opinion uses force.

Those who profess contempt for men, and put them on a level with beasts, yet wish to be admired and believed by men, and contradict themselves by their own feelings--their nature, which is stronger than all, convincing them of the greatness of man more forcibly than reason convinces them of his baseness.

If men knew themselves, God would heal and pardon them.