"Slavery, properly so called, is the establishment of a right which gives to a master such a power over his slave as renders him absolute master of his life and fortune."

"Trade is a cure for the most destructive prejudices; for it is almost a general rule, that wherever we find agreeable manners, there commerce flourishes; and wherever there is commerce, there we meet …"

"The love of democracy is that of equality."

"Republics are destroyed by luxury, monarchies by poverty."

"The legislator should follow the spirit of the nation."