From the first moment of life, men ought to begin learning to deserve to live; and, as at the instant of birth we partake of the rights of citizenship, that instant ought to be the beginning of the exercise of our duty.

The body politic, as well as the human body, begins to die as soon as it is born, and carries itself the causes of its destruction.

Nature never deceives us; it is we who deceive ourselves.

It is hard to prevent oneself from believing what one so keenly desires, and who can doubt that the interest we have in admitting or denying the reality of the Judgement to come determines the faith of most men in accordance with their hopes and fears.

The strongest is never strong enough to be always the master, unless he transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty.

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

Every man has a right to risk his own life for the preservation of it.