What is the future? What is the past? What are we? What is the magic fluid that surrounds us and conceals the things we most need to know? We live and die in the midst of marvels.

To write history one must be more than a man, since the author who holds the pen of this great justiciary must be free from all preoccupation of interest or vanity.

For my part, it is not the mystery of the incarnation which I discover in religion, but the mystery of social order, which associates with heaven that idea of equality which prevents the rich from destroying the poor

There are only two forces that unite men - fear and interest.

I believe love to be hurtful to society, and to the individual happiness of men. I believe, in short, that love does more harm than good.

Posterity alone rightly judges kings. Posterity alone has the right to accord or withhold honors.

It is only by prudence, wisdom, and dexterity that great ends are attained and obstacles overcome. Without these qualities nothing succeeds.