Rashness succeeds often, still more often fails.

Military despotism represses generous sentiments, priestly tyranny stifles them.

I do not believe it is in our nature to love impartially. We deceive ourselves when we think we can love two beings, even our own children, equally. There is always a dominant affection.

I have so often been mistaken that I no longer blush for it

I know he's a good general, but is he lucky?

A great reserve and severity of manners are necessary for the command of those who are older than ourselves.

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.