I am one of the people who love the why of things.

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?

If Russians knew how to read, they would write me off.

The most sure, but at the same time the most difficult expedient to mend the morals of the people, is a perfect system of education.

I like to praise and reward in a loud voice and to scold in a whisper.

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.