To tempt, and to be tempted, are things very nearly allied, and, in spite of the finest maxims of morality impressed upon the mind, whenever feeling has anything to do in the matter, no sooner is it excited than we have already gone vastly farther than we are aware of, and I have yet to learn how it is possible to prevent its being excited.

You should know our mania for building is stronger than ever. It is a diabolical thing. It consumes money and the more you build, the more you want to build. It's a sickness like being addicted to alcohol.

I sincerely want peace, not because I lack resources for war, but because I hate bloodshed.

All punishments by which the human body might be maimed are barbarbarism.

Nothing is more difficult, in my opinion, than to avoid something that fundamentally attracts you.

What right can give anyone authority to inflict torture upon a citizen when it is still unknown whether he is innocent or guilty?

to tempt and be tempted are closely allied; and in spite of all the finest moral maxims buried in the mind, when emotion interferes, when feeling makes its appearance, one is already much further involved that one realizes, and I have still not learnt how to prevent its appearance.