When the mind is thinking it is talking to itself.
All men are by nature equal, made all of the same earth by one Workman; and however we deceive ourselves, as dear unto God is the poor peasant as the mighty prince.
Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty.
I never did anything worth doing by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work.
Courage is knowing what not to fear.
Cunning... is but the low mimic of wisdom.
Excess of liberty, whether it lies in state or individuals, seems only to pass into excess of slavery.
Necessity... the mother of invention.
Democracy... is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder; and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike.
Wonder is the feeling of the philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.
Better a little which is well done, than a great deal imperfectly.
The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom.
The rulers of the state are the only persons who ought to have the privilege of lying, either at home or abroad; they may be allowed to lie for the good of the state.
Democracy passes into despotism.
There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and what they cannot.
When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty, and there is nothing more to fear from them, then he is always stirring up some war or other, in order that the people may require a leader.
Nothing can be more absurd than the practice that prevails in our country of men and women not following the same pursuits with all their strengths and with one mind, for thus, the state instead of being whole is reduced to half.
The excessive increase of anything causes a reaction in the opposite direction.
I would fain grow old learning many things.
Life must be lived as play.
No law or ordinance is mightier than understanding.
Must not all things at the last be swallowed up in death?