I value peace, and I should unwillingly see any event take place which would render war a necessary resource.

No one has a right to obstruct another exercising his faculties innocently for the relief of sensibilities made a part of his nature.

I have never been able to conceive how any rational being could propose happiness to himself from the exercise of power over others.

letters are not the first, but the last step in the progression from barbarism to civilisation.

Without virtue, happiness cannot be.

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.

The same prudence which in private life would forbid our paying our own money for unexplained projects, forbids it in the dispensation of the public moneys.