"The greatest empires are not maintained by the same means by which they are established. A new force may be acquired by conquest, but this new force will diminish the old."

"The less we read, the more we admire."

"The best government is that which governs least."

"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."

"To be truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them."