As soon as man enters into a state of society he loses the sense of his weakness; equality ceases, and then commences the state of war.

But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.

Religious wars are not caused by the fact that there is more than one religion, but by the spirit of intolerance... the spread of which can only be regarded as the total eclipse of human reason.

Society is the union of men and not the men themselves.

There are three species of government: republican, monarchical, and despotic.

Each particular society begins to feel its strength, whence arises a state of war between different nations.

When the body of the people is possessed of the supreme power, it is called a democracy.

Power ought to serve as a check to power.

Men, who are rogues individually, are in the mass very honorable people.