Reason must be the universal rule and guide; all things must be done according to reason without allowing oneself to be swayed by emotion.

A virtuous and well-disposed person, like a good metal, the more he is fired, the more he is fined; the more he is opposed, the more he is approved: wrongs may well try him, and touch him, but cannot imprint in him any false stamp.

Nothing is as dangerous for the state as those who would govern kingdoms with maxims found in books.

If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him.

Never write a letter and never destroy one.

Who will be my equal?

Nothing so upholds the laws as the punishment of persons whose rank is as great as their crime.