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.

Those people who treat politics and morality separately will never understand either of them.

Laws are always useful to those who possess and vexatious to those who have nothing.

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.

Take from the philosopher the pleasure of being heard and his desire for knowledge ceases.

Abstaining so as really to enjoy, is the epicurism, the very perfection, of reason.

Force does not constitute right... obedience is due only to legitimate powers.