The power of punishment is to silence, not to confute.

"I fly from pleasure," said the prince, "because pleasure has ceased to please; I am lonely because I am miserable, and am unwilling to cloud with my presence the happiness of others."

Where no man thinks himself under any obligation to submit to another, and, instead of co-operating in one great scheme, every one hastens through by-paths to private profit, no great change can suddenly be made; nor is superior knowledge of much effect, where every man resolves to use his own eyes and his own judgment, and every one applauds his own dexterity and diligence, in proportion as he becomes rich sooner than his neighbour.

Parents are by no means exempt from the intoxication of dominion.

Perhaps man is the only being that can properly be called idle.

Nothing is difficult, when gain and honour unite their influence.

Life will not bear refinement. You must do as other people do.