Music, of all the liberal arts, has the greatest influence over the passions, and it is that to which the legislator ought to give the greatest encouragement.

There is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Do you wish to find out the really sublime? Repeat the Lord's Prayer.

Generals are not to be too scrupulous.

The only one who is wiser than anyone is everyone.

A man will fight harder for his interests than for his rights.

In my youth I, too, entertained some illusions; but I soon recovered from them.