The Maxims Of Men Reveal Their Characters.

Hatred Is Keener Than Friendship, Less Keen Than Love.

Clarity Is The Counterbalance Of Profound Thoughts.

The Maxim That Men Are Not To Be Praised Before Their Death Was Invented By Envy And Too Lightly Adopted By Philosophers. I, On The Contrary, Maintain That They Ought To Be Praised In Their Lifetime If They Merit It; But Jealousy And Calumny, Roused Against Their Virtue Or Their Talent, Labour To Degrade Them If Any One Ventures To Bear Testimony To Them. It Is Unjust Criticism That They Should Fear To Hazard, Not Sincere Praise.

With Kings, Nations, And Private Individuals, The Strongest Assume To Themselves Rights Over The Weakest, And The Same Rule Is Followed By Animals, By Matter, By The Elements, So That Everything Is Performed In The Universe By Violence. And That Order Which We Blame With Some Appearance Of Justice Is The Most Universal, Most Absolute, Most Unchangeable, And Most Ancient Law Of Nature.

Every Thought Is New When An Author Expresses It In A Manner Peculiar To Himself.