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.

You can purchase the mind of Pascal for a crown. Pleasures even cheaper are sold to those who give themselves up to them. It is only luxuries and objects of caprice that are rare and difficult to obtain; unfortunately they are the only things that touch the curiosity and taste of ordinary men.

When we are sick our virtues and our vices are in abeyance.

The usual pretext of those who make others unhappy is that they do it for their own good.

We have neither the strength nor the opportunity to accomplish all the good and all the evil which we design.

Consciousness of our strength increases it.

Courage is adversity's lamp.