"It is not the young people that degenerate; they are only open to the impressions of others; it is the old people that are corrupt, and have corrupted them."

"The less we are able to reflect, the more we are capable of passion."

"The climate, the religion, the laws, the maxims of government, the precedents, the morals, and the customs; all these things have a reciprocal influence on one another."

"When the savages of Louisiana are desirous of fruit, they cut the tree to the root, and gather the fruit. This is an emblem of despotic government."

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