Commerce is the cure for the most destructive prejudices.

If we only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, and that is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.

In republican governments, men are all equal; equal they are also in despotic governments: in the former, because they are everything; in the latter, because they are nothing.

Liberty is the right to do as the law permits.

Peace is a natural effect of trade.

Republics come to an end through luxury; monarchies through poverty.

The incomparable stupidity of life teaches us to love our parents; divine philosophy teaches us to forgive them.

There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice.

The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.