"Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the force of him who commands prevails over that of those who obey."

"Disturbances in society are never more fearful than when those who are stirring up the trouble can use the pretext of religion to mask their true designs."

"The possibility of divorce renders both marriage partners stricter in their observance of the duties they owe to each other. Divorces help to improve morals and to increase the population."

"Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that aroused it."

"The challenge of social justice is to evoke a sense of community that we need to make our nation a better place, just as we make it a safer place."

"Government cannot do it all. As we work hard to break welfare dependency and get young people ready for the labour market, we need businesses to give them a chance and not just fall back on labour from abroad."

"We need a government, alas, because of the nature of humans."

"What is absurd and monstrous about war is that men who have no personal quarrel should be trained to murder one another in cold blood."