Piety is the fermentation of the forming mind and the putrefaction of the disintegrating one.

Before passing different laws for different people, I'd relinquish myself unto you as your slave.

Art compares to nature like wine to the grape.

The main reason why men and women make different aesthetic judgments is the fact that the latter, generally incapable of abstraction, only admire what meets their complete approval.

I know how ingratitude burns, how falsehood tortures, for I have been deceived in friendship and in love; I have learned to lose and to resign myself.

You ardently strive for freedom, and I do wish you were free--but, rather than for your sake, so that government won't be.

If only it were God's will that printed and written materials have as much influence on the people as the princes and their censors fear! Considering the countless good books we have, the world would have changed for the better a long time ago.