It is the first law of friendship that it has to be cultivated. The second is to be indulgent when the first law is neglected.

The only way to compel men to speak good of us is to do it.

Men use thought only to justify their wrong doings, and employ speech only to conceal their thoughts.

Liberty of thought is the life of the soul.

True power and true politeness are above vanity.

Those who can be made to believe absurdities can be made to commit atrocities.

I advise you to go on living solely to enrage those who are paying your annuities. It is the only pleasure I have left.