The men who administer public affairs must first of all see that everyone holds onto what is his, and that private men are never deprived of their goods by public men.

There is pleasure in calm remembrance of a past sorrow.

Such are a well regulated militia, composed of the freeholders, citizen and husbandman, who take up arms to preserve their property, as individuals, and their rights as freemen.

As I give thought to the matter, I find four causes for the apparent misery of old age; first, it withdraws us from active accomplishments; second, it renders the body less powerful; third, it deprives us of almost all forms of enjoyment; fourth, it stands not far from death.

The searching-out and thorough investigation of truth ought to be the primary study of man.

Kindness is produced by kindness.

What one has, one ought to use: and whatever he does he should do with all his might.