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The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.

A ruler makes use of the majority and neglects the minority, and so he does not devote himself to virtue but to law.

It will always be considered a praiseworthy undertaking to urge the most obstinate and incredulous to abide by the principles that impel men to live in society. There are, therefore, three distinct classes of vice and virtue: the religious, the natural, and the political. These three classes should never be in contradiction with one another.

The very essence of rationalism is that it assumes that the reason is the highest faculty in man and the lord of all the rest.

A moral being is one who is capable of reflecting on his past actions and their motives - of approving of some and disapproving of others.

To rely upon conviction, devotion, and other excellent spiritual qualities; that is not to be taken seriously in politics.

I call religion a natural authority, but it has usually been conceived as a supernatural authority.