When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty. . . . Again, there is no liberty, if the judiciary power be not separated from the legislative and executive.

Men should be bewailed at their birth, and not at their death.

Si les triangles faisoient un Dieu, ils lui donneroient trois côtés .

How can anyone be Persian?

Solemnity is the shield of idiots.

What orators lack in depth they make up to you in length.

Knowledge humanizes mankind, and reason inclines to mildness; but prejudices eradicate every tender disposition.

I like peasants—they are not sophisticated enough to reason speciously.

Liberty is the right to do what the laws permit.

Friendship is a contract in which we render small services in expectation of big ones.