"In a true state of nature, indeed, all men are born equal, but they cannot continue in this equality. Society makes them lose it, and they recover it only by the force of laws."

"I have never known any distress that an hour's reading did not assuage."

"Luxury is useful in a monarchy, and pernicious in a republic."

"The people are extremely fickle, and if they are not governed by strict laws, they will soon fall into anarchy."

"The state of monarchy is the most powerful of all governments."