The subjects of every state ought to contribute towards the support of the government, as nearly as possible, in proportion to their respective abilities.

People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices.

Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

Public services are never better performed than when their reward comes only in consequence of their being performed, and is proportioned to the diligence employed in performing them.

of their passions in the same object at that particular time.

Fill your papers with the breathings of your heart.

Creativity takes courage.

The acceptable is unacceptable. The truth is a lie. The good is pure evil. Even freedom has become a prison.

I want people to see me happy.

It takes three to make a child.

There is a frustration too, that at moments when there's not a coup, when there are not people in the streets, that the country disappears from people's consciousness.

In the Koran, the first thing God said to Muhammed was 'Read.

Earthly greatness is a nice thing, and requires so much chariness in the managing, as the contentment of it cannot requite.

When you get an idea, go and write. Don't waste it in conversation.

Life-and-death. Lifedeath. One event. One short event. Don't forget.