In the strict sense of the term, a true democracy has never existed, and never will exist.

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.

But in some great souls, who consider themselves as citizens of the world, and forcing the imaginary barriers that separate people from people.

Religious persecutors are not believers, they are rascals.

Equality is deemed by many a mere speculative chimera, which can never be reduced to practice. But if the abuse is inevitable, does it follow that we ought not to try at least to mitigate it? It is precisely because the force of things tends always to destroy equality that the force of the legislature must always tend to maintain it.

Free people, remember this maxim: we may acquire liberty, but it is never recovered if it is once lost.

If all were perfect Christians, individuals would do their duty; the people would be obedient to the laws, the magistrates incorrupt, and there would be neither vanity nor luxury in such a state.