Continuity in everything is unpleasant.

Undoubtedly equality of goods is just; but, being unable to cause might to obey justice, men has made it just to obey might. Unable to strengthen justice, they have justified might--so that the just and the strong should unite, and there should be peace, which is the sovereign good.

Pride counterbalances all our miseries, for it either hides them, or, if it discloses them, boasts of that disclosure. Pride has such a thorough possession of us, even in the midst of our miseries and faults, that we are prepared to sacrifice life with joy, if it may but be talked of.

Being unable to cure death, wretchedness, and ignorance, men have decided, in order to be happy, not to think about such things.

Justice is as much a matter of fashion as charm is.

they do not know that they seek only the chase and not the quarry.

If there were only one religion, God would indeed be manifest.