If mankind were born tomorrow it would divide into groups; each would scramble to invent their one and only god, and set about butchering each-other.

Men are equal; it is not birth but virtue that makes the difference.

One day everything will be well, that is our hope. Everything's fine today, that is our illusion.

Twenty-volume folios will never make a revolution. It’s the little pocket pamphlets that are to be feared.

Common sense is not so common.

Los Padres have everything and the people have nothing; 'tis the masterpiece of reason and justice. For my part, I know nothing so divine as Los Padres who make war on Kings of Spain and Portugal and in Europe act as their confessors; who here kill Spaniards and at Madrid send them to Heaven.

A circumstance which has always appeared wonderful to me, is that such sublime discoveries should have been made by the sole assistance of a quadrant and a little arithmetic.