I call that law universal, which is conformable merely to dictates of nature; for there does exist naturally an universal sense of right and wrong, which, in a certain degree, all intuitively divine, even should no intercourse with each other, nor any compact have existed.
It would then be most admirably adapted to the purposes of justice, if laws properly enacted were, as far as circumstances admitted, of themselves to mark out all cases, and to abandon as few as possible to the discretion of the judge.
The precepts of the law may be comprehended under these three points: to live honestly, to hurt no man willfully, and to render every man his due carefully.
All learning is derived from things previously known.
The light of the day is followed by night, as a shadow follows a body.
For imitation is natural to man from his infancy. Man differs from other animals particularly in this, that he is imitative, and acquires his rudiments of knowledge in this way; besides, the delight in it is universal.
Time past, even God is deprived of the power of recalling.
Consider pleasures as they depart, not as they come.
It is better for a city to be governed by a good man than by good laws.
Happiness may be defined as good fortune joined to virtue, or a independence, or as a life that is both agreeable and secure.
Man is the metre of all things, the hand is the instrument of instruments, and the mind is the form of forms.
All art, all education, can be merely a supplement to nature.
There must be in prudence also some master virtue.
The best things are placed between extremes.
The mass of mankind are evidently slavish in their tastes, preferring a life suitable to beasts.
A king ruleth as he ought, a tyrant as he lists, a king to the profit of all, a tyrant only to please a few.
No tyrant need fear till men begin to feel confident in each other.
Fate of empires depends on the education of youth.
Adoration is made out of a solitary soul occupying two bodies.
A man can make up his mind quickly when he has only a little to make up.