“Natural inclinations are assisted and reinforced by education, but they are hardly ever altered or overcome.”

“Our zeal works wonders, whenever it supports our inclination toward hatred, cruelty, ambition.”

“If virtue cannot shine bright, but by the conflict of contrary appetites, shall we then say that she cannot subsist without the assistance of vice, and that it is from her that she derives her reputation and honor?”

“I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly.”

“The most fruitful and natural exercise for our minds is, in my opinion, conversation.”

“Let us give Nature a chance; she knows her business better than we do.”

“There is nothing more unsociable than man, and nothing more sociable: unsociable by his vice, sociable by his nature.”