“[Voltaire] theoretically prefers a republic, but he knows its flaws: it permits factions which, if they do not bring on civil war, at least destroy national unity; it is suited only to small states protected by geographic situation, and as yet unspoiled and untorn with wealth; in general "men are rarely worthy to govern themselves." Republics are transient at best; they are the first form of society, arising from the union of families; the American Indians lived in tribal republics, and Africa is full of such democracies. but differentiation of economic status puts an end to these egalitarian governments; and differentiation is the inevitable accompaniment of development.”

“We conclude that the concentration of wealth is natural and inevitable, and is periodically alleviated by violent or peaceable partial redistribution. In this view all economic history is the slow heartbeat of the social organism, a vast systole and diastole of concentrating wealth and compulsive recirculation.”

“Civilization is the order and freedom is promoting cultural activity.”

“Moral codes adjust themselves to environmental conditions.”

“Sixty years ago I knew everything now I know nothing education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance. ”

“Every form of government tends to perish by excess of its basic principle.”

“Truth always originates in a minority of one, and every custom begins as a broken precedent.”

“Science gives us knowledge, but only philosophy can give us wisdom.”

“Knowledge is the eye of desire and can become the pilot of the soul.”

“Our knowledge is a receding mirage in an expanding desert of ignorance.”

“Most of us spend too much time on the last twenty-four hours and too little on the last six thousand years.”