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

A man should be mourned at his birth, not at his death.

But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.

Power ought to serve as a check to power.

If I knew of something that could serve my nation but would ruin another, I would not propose it to my prince, for I am first a man and only then a Frenchman... because I am necessarily a man, and only accidentally am I French.

When the body of the people is possessed of the supreme power, it is called a democracy.