The Indian who fells the tree that he may gather the fruit, and the Arab who plunders the caravans of commerce are actuated by the same impulse of savage nature, and relinquish for momentary rapine the long and secure possession of the most important blessings.

History should be to the political economist a wellspring of experience and wisdom.

Flattery is a foolish suicide; she destroys herself with her own hands.

There is more pleasure to building castles in the air than on the ground.

Whenever the offence inspires less horror than the punishment, the rigour of penal law is obliged to give way to the common feelings of mankind.

The first of earthly blessings, independence.

Europe is secure from any future irruptions of Barbarians; since, before they can conquer, they must cease to be barbarous.