Sacrifice life to truth.

Ordinary readers, forgive my paradoxes: one must make them when one reflects; and whatever you may say, I prefer being a man with paradoxes than a man with prejudices.

Slaves lose everything in their chains, even the desire of escaping from them.

Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains. Those who think themselves the masters of others are indeed greater slaves than they.

The body politic, as well as the human body, begins to die as soon as it is born, and carries itself the causes of its destruction.

The visible order of the universe proclaims a supreme intelligence.

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