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.

War is one of the scourges with which it has pleased God to afflict men.

Bakers of bread rolls and pastry cooks will not buy grain before eleven o'clock in winter and noon in summer; bakers of large loaves will not buy grain before two o'clock. This will enable the people of the town to obtain their supply first. Bakers shall put a distinctive trademark on their loaves, and keep weights and scales in their shops, under penalty of having their licenses removed.

I have the consolation of leaving your kingdom in the highest degree of glory and of reputation.

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

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.

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