It has always pleased me to read while eating if I have no companion; it gives me the society I lack. I devour alternately a page and a mouthful; it is as though my book were dining with me.

Sovereigns always see with pleasure a taste for the arts of amusement and superfluity, which do not result in the exportation of bullion, increase among their subjects. They very well know that, besides nourishing that littleness of mind which is proper to slavery, the increase of artificial wants only binds so many more chains upon the people.

Quit thy childhood, my friend, and wake up!

Do not judge, and you will never be mistaken.

Liberty is not to be found in any form of government; she is in the heart of the free man; he bears her with him everywhere.

Physical evils destroy themselves, or they destroy us.

Civilization is a hopeless race to discover remedies for the evils it produces.