[Luxury] corrupts both rich and poor, the rich by having it and the poor by wanting it. - Jean-Jacques Rousseau

In the midst of so much philosophy, humanity, and civilization, and of such sublime codes of morality, we have nothing to show for ourselves but a frivolous and deceitful exterior, honor without virtue, reason without wisdom, and pleasure without happiness.

Laws are, properly speaking, only the conditions of civil association.

sólo hay esclavos por naturaleza, porque los ha habido contrariando sus leyes. La fuerza ha hecho los primeros esclavos, su cobardía los ha perpetuado.