The desire of posthumous fame and the dread of posthumous reproach and execration are feelings from the influence of which scarcely any man is perfectly free, and which in many men are powerful and constant motives of action.

The Church is the handmaid of tyranny and the steady enemy of liberty.

The ascendency of the sacerdotal order was long the ascendency which naturally and properly belonged to intellectual superiority.

She thoroughly understands what no other Church has ever understood, how to deal with enthusiasts.

Nothing is so useless as a general maxim.

The good-humor of a man elated with success often displays itself towards enemies.

People who take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants.