The freedom of Mankind does not lie in the fact that can do what we want, but that we do not have to do that which we do not want.

I would rather be a man of paradoxes than a man of prejudices.

The mind grows narrow in proportion as the soul grows corrupt.

...in respect of riches, no citizen shall ever be wealthy enough to buy another, and none poor enough to be forced to sell himself.

Self-love is an instrument useful but dangerous; it often wounds the hand which makes use of it, and seldom does good without doing harm.

In any case, frequent punishments are a sign of weakness or slackness in the government. There is no man so bad that he cannot be made good for something. No man should be put to death, even as an example, if he can be left to live without danger to society.

The thirst after happiness is never extinguished in the heart of man.