As soon as any man says of the affairs of the State "What does it matter to me?" the State may be given up for lost.

I may not amount to much, but at least I am unique.

Liberty is obedience to the law which one has laid down for oneself

There is no subjection so perfect as that which keeps the appearance of freedom.

At Genoa, the word Liberty may be read over the front of the prisons and on the chains of the galley-slaves. This application of the device is good and just. It is indeed only malefactors of all estates who prevent the citizen from being free. In the country in which all such men were in the galleys, the most perfect liberty would be enjoyed.

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

Let the trumpet of the day of judgment sound when it will, I shall appear with this book in my hand before the Sovereign Judge, and cry with a loud voice, This is my work, there were my thoughts, and thus was I. I have freely told both the good and the bad, have hid nothing wicked, added nothing good.