I would rather obey a fine lion, much stronger than myself, than two hundred rats of my own species.

The flowery style is not unsuitable to public speeches or addresses, which amount only to compliment. The lighter beauties are in their place when there is nothing more solid to say; but the flowery style ought to be banished from a pleading, a sermon, or a didactic work.

The man who leaves money to charity in his will is only giving away what no longer belongs to him

Your destiny is that of a man, your vows those of a god.

It is the characteristic of the most stringent censorships that they give credibility to the opinions they attack.

A physician is an unfortunate gentleman who is every day required to perform a miracle; namely to reconcile health with intemperance.

All the persecutors declare against each other mortal war, while the philosopher, oppressed by them all, contents himself with pitying them.