I have never believed that man's freedom consisted in doing what he wants, but rather in never doing what he does not want to do.

Since men cannot create new forces, but merely combine and control those which already exist, the only way in which they can preserve themselves is by uniting their separate powers in a combination strong enough to overcome any resistance, uniting them so that their powers are directed by a single motive and act in concert.

The training of children is a profession, where we must know how to waste time in order to save it.

Chemistry... is like the maid occupied with daily civilisation; she is busy with fertilisers, medicines, glass, insecticides ... for she dispenses the recipes.

The man is best served who has no occasion to put the hands of others at the end of his own arms.

Everything made by man may be destroyed by man; there are no ineffaceable characters except those engraved by nature; and nature makes neither princes nor rich men nor great lords.

Even knaves may be made good for something.