The strongest is never strong enough to be always the master, unless he transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty.

He who has the base necessities of life should pay nothing; taxation on him who has a surplus may, if need be; extend to everything beyond necessities.

In a well governed state, there are few punishments, not because there are many pardons, but because criminals are rare; it is when a state is in decay that the multitude of crimes is a gaurantee of impunity.

The man who meditates is a depraved animal.

Although modesty is natural to man, it is not natural to children. Modesty only begins with the knowledge of evil.

I also realized that the philosophers, far from ridding me of my vain doubts, only multiplied the doubts that tormented me and failed to remove any one of them. So I chose another guide and said, Let me follow the Inner Light; it will not lead me so far astray as others have done, or if it does it will be my own fault, and I shall not go so far wrong if I follow my own illusions as if I trusted to their deceits.

That which renders life burdensome to us generally arises from the abuse of it.