Mystery is the antagonist of truth. It is a fog of human invention, that obscures truth, and represents it in distortion.

Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.

The trade of governing has always been monopolized by the most ignorant and the most rascally individuals of mankind.

It can only be by blinding the understanding of man, and making him believe that government is some wonderful mysterious thing, that excessive revenues are obtained. Monarchy is well calculated to ensure this end. It is the popery of government; a thing kept up to amuse the ignorant, and quiet them into taxes.

The countries the most famous and the most respected of antiquity are those which distinguished themselves by promoting and patronizing science, and on the contrary those which neglected or discouraged it are universally denominated rude and barbarous.

A share in two revolutions is living to some purpose.

A bad cause will ever be supported by bad means and bad men.