The sciences throw an inexpressible grace over our compositions, even where they are not immediately concerned; as their effects are discernible where we least expect to find them.

Remedies are more tardy in their operation than diseases.

Formerly we suffered from crimes; now we suffer from laws.

Christianity is a pestilent superstition.

Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful.

This I hold to be the chief office of history, to rescue virtuous actions from the oblivion to which a want of records would consign them, and that men should feel a dread of being considered infamous in the opinions of posterity, from their depraved expressions and base actions.

A bad peace is even worse than war.