Each member of the community gives himself to it at the instant of its constitution, just as he actually is, himself and all his forces, including all goods in his possession.

Liberty may be gained, but can never be recovered.

There is no folly of which a man who is not a fool cannot get rid except vanity; of this nothing cures a man except experience of its bad consequences, if indeed anything can cure it.

That man is truly free who desires what he is able to perform, and does what he desires.

Not all the subtilties of metaphysics can make me doubt a moment of the immortality of the soul, and of a beneficent Providence. I feel it, I believe it, I desire it, I hope it, and will defend it to my last breath.

That which renders life burdensome to us generally arises from the abuse of it.

Nothing is less in our power than the heart, and far from commanding we are forced to obey it.