An absolute silence leads to sadness: it is the image of death.

What man loses by the social contract is his natural liberty and an unlimited right to everything he tries to get and succeeds in getting; what he gains is civil liberty and the proprietorship of all he possesses.

Each State can have for enemies only other States, and not men; for between things disparate in nature there can be no real relation.

Truth is no road to fortune.

Astronomy was born of superstition; eloquence of ambition, hatred, falsehood, and flattery; geometry of avarice; physics of an idle curiosity; and even moral philosophy of human pride. Thus the arts and sciences owe their birth to our vices.

Who does not sufficiently hate vice, Does not sufficiently love virtue.

As long as there are rich people in the world, they will be desirous of distinguishing themselves from the poor.

Youth is the time to study wisdom; old age is the time to practice it.

The vine that has been made to bear fruit in the spring, withers and dies before autumn.