Crimes are not to be measured by the issue of events, but by the bad intentions of men.

To teach is a necessity, to please is a sweetness, to persuade is a victory.

The judgment of posterity is truer, because it is free from envy and malevolence.

It shows a brave and resolute spirit not to be agitated in exciting circumstances.

He who acknowledges a kindness has it still, and he who has a grateful sense of it has requited it.

On the subject of the nature of the gods, the first question is Do the gods exist or do the not? It is difficult you may say to deny that they exist. I would agree if we were arguing the matter in a public assembly, but in a private discussion of this kind, it is perfectly easy to do so.

Too much liberty leads both men and nations to slavery.