I should . . . prefer swallowing one incomprehensibility rather than two. It requires one effort only to admit the single incomprehensibility of matter endowed with thought, and two to believe, first that of an existence called spirit, of which we have neither evidence nor idea, and then secondly how that spirit, which has neither extension nor solidity, can put material organs into motion.

The rights of the people to the exercise and fruits of their own industry can never be protected against the selfishness of rulers not subject to their control at short periods.

music, drawing, books, invention & exercise will be so many resources to you against ennui.

The only security of all is in a free press.

Money, not morality, constitutes the principle of commercial nations.

Every people may establish what form of government they please, and change it as they please, the will of the nation being the only thing essential.

The only foundation for useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion.