Piety sometimes gives birth to scruples, and faith to superstition, when they are not directed by wisdom and knowledge.

Every error pronounces judgment on itself when it attempts to apply its rules to the standard of truth.

For centuries it was never discovered that education was a function of the State, and the State never attempted to educate. But when modern absolutism arose, it laid claim to everything on behalf of the sovereign power....When the revolutionary theory of government began to prevail, and Church and State found that they were educating for opposite ends and in a contradictory spirit, it became necessary to remove children entirely from the influence of religion.

Those who have more power are liable to sin more; no theorem in geometry is more certain than this.

There is no error so monstrous that it fails to find defenders among the ablest men.

Liberty has not only enemies which it conquers, but perfidious friends, who rob the fruits of its victories: Absolute democracy, socialism.

Democracy generally monopolizes and concentrates power.