No government can exist without taxation. The money must necessarily be levied on the people; and the grand art consists of levying so as not to oppress.

Artillery adds dignity, to what would otherwise be an ugly brawl.

Neither antiquity nor any other nation has imagined a more atrocious and blasphemous absurdity than that of eating God. This is how Christians treat the autocrat of the universe.

All religions must be tolerated ... every man must go to heaven in his own way. [Die Religionen müssen alle toleriert werden ... denn hier muss ein jeder nach seiner Fasson selig werden.]

Though I may not be a king in my future life, so much the better: I shall nevertheless live an active life and, on top of it, earn less ingratitude.

Man is made for error; it enters his mind naturally, and he discovers a few truths only with the greatest effort.

My people and I have come to an agreement which satisfies us both. They are to do what they please, and I am to do what I please.