Most people grow old within a small circle of ideas, which they have not discovered for themselves. There are perhaps less wrong-minded people than thoughtless.

If it is true that vice can never be done away with, the science of government consists of making it contribute to the public good.

Emotions have taught mankind to reason.

All that causes one man to differ from another is a very slight thing. What is it that is the origin of beauty or ugliness, health or weakness, ability or stupidity? A slight difference in the organs, a little more or a little less bile. Yet this more or less is of infinite importance to men; and when they think otherwise they are mistaken.

Activity makes more men's fortunes than cautiousness.

We are dismayed when we find that even disaster cannot cure us of our faults.

All erroneous ideas would perish of their own accord if given clear expression.