Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.

Man must suffer to be wise.

Though liberty is established by law, we must be vigilant, for liberty to enslave us is always present under that very liberty. Our Constitution speaks of the "general welfare of the people." Under that phrase all sorts of excesses can be employed by lusting tyrants to make us bondsmen.

Action is the language of the body and should harmonize with the spirit within.

Not only is there an art in knowing a thing, but also a certain art in teaching it.

I wonder that a soothsayer doesn't laugh whenever he sees another soothsayer.

There is nothing so charming as the knowledge of literature; of that branch of literature, I mean, which enables us to discover the infinity of things, the immensity of Nature, the heavens, the earth, and the seas; this is that branch which has taught us religion, moderation, magnanimity, and that has rescued the soul from obscurity; to make her see all things above and below, first and last, and between both; it is this that furnishes us wherewith to live well and happily, and guides us to pass our lives without displeasure and without offence.