“Since the whole affair had become one of religion, the vanquished were of course exterminated.”

“Men must have somewhat altered the course of nature; for they were not born wolves, yet they have become wolves. God did not give them twenty-four-pounders or bayonets, yet they have made themselves bayonets and guns to destroy each other. In the same category I place not only bankruptcies, but the law which carries off the bankrupts’ effects, so as to defraud their creditors.”

“One always begins with the simple, then comes the complex, and by superior enlightenment one often reverts in the end to the simple. Such is the course of human intelligence.”

“mankind have a little corrupted nature, for they were not born wolves, and they have become wolves; God has given them neither cannon of four-and-twenty pounders, nor bayonets; and yet they have made cannon and bayonets to destroy one another.”

“If you have two religions in your land, the two will cut each other’s throats; but if you have thirty religions, they will dwell in peace”

“the safest course is to do nothing against one's conscience. With this secret, we can enjoy life and have no fear from death.”

“theology is to religion what poisons are to food”