“A prince ... is only the first servant of the state, who is obliged to act with probity and prudence. ... As the sovereign is properly the head of a family of citizens, the father of his people, he ought on all occasions to be the last refuge of the unfortunate.”

“An educated people can be easily governed.”

“What is the good of experience if you do not reflect?”

“A crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in.”

“Religion is the idol of the mob it adores everything it does not understand.”

“He who defends everything defends nothing.”

“Every man must get to heaven his own way.”

“It is impossible to imitate Voltaire without being Voltaire.”

“I love an opposition that has convictions.”

“As to your Newton, I confess I do not understand his void and his gravity; I admit he has demonstrated the movement of the heavenly bodies with more exactitude than his forerunners; but you will admit it is an absurdity to maintain the existence of No”

“A prince ... is only the first servant of the state, who is obliged to act with probity and prudence. ... As the sovereign is properly the head of a family of citizens, the father of his people, he ought on all occasions to be the last refuge of the unfortunate.”