morality Quotes

Kings will be tyrants from policy, when subjects are rebels from principle.

Toleration is good for all, or it is good for none.

Tyrants seldom want pretexts.

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.

People here argue about religion interminably, but it appears that they are competing at the same time to see who can be the least devout.

Do you think that God will punish them for not practicing a religion which he did not reveal to them?

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

It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption.

The deterioration of a government begins almost always by the decay of its principles.

If I knew of something that could serve my nation but would ruin another, I would not propose it to my prince, for I am first a man and only then a Frenchman... because I am necessarily a man, and only accidentally am I French.