Those who fear the facts will forever try to discredit the fact-finders.

What has not been examined impartially has not been well examined. Skepticism is therefore the first step towards truth.

If reason be a gift of Heaven, and we can say as much of faith, Heaven has certainly made us two gifts not only incompatible, but in direct contradiction to each other. In order to solve the difficulty, we are compelled to say either that faith is a chimera or that reason is useless.

Which is the greater merit, to enlighten the human race, which remains forever, or to save one's fatherland, which is perishable?

No man has received from nature the right to give orders to others. Freedom is a gift from heaven, and every individual of the same species has the right to enjoy it as soon as he is in enjoyment of his reason.

There is no true sovereign except the nation; there can be no true legislator except the people.

Integrity is the evidence of all civil virtues.