An intelligent being, is the active principle of all things. One must have renounced all common sense to doubt it, and it is a waste of time to try to prove such self evident truth.

Whatever may be our natural talents, the art of writing is not acquired all at once.

There are two things to be considered with regard to any scheme. In the first place, Is it good in itself? In the second, Can it be easily put into practice?

Gratitude is a duty which ought to be paid, but which none have a right to expect.

I say to myself: "Who are you to measure infinite power?

In a well governed state, there are few punishments, not because there are many pardons, but because criminals are rare; it is when a state is in decay that the multitude of crimes is a gaurantee of impunity.

To be sane in a world of madman is in itself madness.