Man is insatiable for power; he is infantile in his desires and, always discontented with what he has, loves only what he has not. People complain of the despotism of princes; they ought to complain of the despotism of man.

It is not the mediocrity of women's education which makes their weakness; it is their weakness which necessarily causes their mediocrity.

Nothing is necessary except God, and nothing is less necessary than pain.

There is no philosophy without the art of ignoring objections.

Every country has the government it deserves.

Christianity was preached by ignorant men and believed by servants, and that is why it resembles nothing ever known.

In the works of man, everything is as poor as its author; vision is confined, means are limited, scope is restricted, movements are labored, and results are humdrum.