Language is the leading principle which unites or separates the tribes of mankind.

The vain, inconstant, rebellious disposition of the people [of Armorica], was incompatible either with freedom or servitude.

Under a democratical government the citizens exercise the powers of sovereignty; and those powers will be first abused, and afterwards lost, if they are committed to an unwieldy multitude.

Our toil is lessened, and our wealth is increased, by our dominion over the useful animals . . .

Their poverty secured their freedom, since our desires and our possessions are the strongest fetters of despotism.

[The] events by which the fate of nations is not materially changed, leave a faint impression on the page of history, and the patience of the reader would be exhausted by the repetition of the same hostilities [between Rome and Persia], undertaken without cause, prosecuted without glory, and terminated without effect.

It was no longer esteemed infamous for a Roman to survive his honor and independence.