A modest man is steady, an humble man timid, and a vain one presumptuous.
All power intoxicates weak man; and its abuse proves, that the more equality there is established among men, the more virtue and happiness will reign in society.
By...false politeness, sincerity is sacrificed, and truth violated…
Executions, far from being useful examples to the survivors, have, I am persuaded, a quite contrary effect, by hardening the heart they ought to terrify.
Independence I have long considered as the grand blessing of life, the basis of every virtue; and independence I will ever secure by contracting my wants, though I were to live on a barren heath.
It is justice, not charity, that is wanting in the world.
No man chooses evil, because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks.
Situation seems to be the mold in which men's characters are formed.
Surely something resides in this heart that is not perishable, and life is more than a dream.
The endeavor to keep alive any hoary establishment beyond its natural date is often pernicious and always useless.
The more I see of the world, the more I am convinced that civilization is a blessing not sufficiently estimated by those who have not traced its progress...
The same energy of character which renders a man a daring villain would have rendered him useful to society, had that society been well organized.
True politeness is a polish, not a varnish; and should rather be acquired by observation than admonition.
We reason deeply, when we forcibly feel.