I have not the hope of being immortal, because the desire of it has not given me that vanity.

It is said that desire is a product of the will, but the converse is in fact true: will is a product of desire.

Integrity is the evidence of all civil virtues.

It has been said that love robs those who have it of their wit, and gives it to those who have none.

But if you will recall the history of our civil troubles, you will see half the nation bathe itself, out of piety, in the blood of the other half, and violate the fundamental feelings of humanity in order to sustain the cause of God: as though it were necessary to cease to be a man in order to prove oneself religious!

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

Anyone who takes it upon himself, on his private authority, to break a bad law, thereby authorizes everyone else to break the good ones.