In settling an island, the first building erected by a Spaniard will be a church, by a Frenchman a fort, by a Dutchman a warehouse, and by an Englishman an alehouse.

There are chance meetings with strangers that interest us from the first moment, before a word is spoken.

The less intelligent the white man is, the more stupid he thinks the black.

France has neither winter, summer, nor morals—apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country.

When you name yourself, you always name another.

The misfortune of the man of color is having been enslaved. The misfortune and inhumanity of the white man are having killed man somewhere.

To think ill of mankind, and not wish ill to them, is perhaps the highest wisdom and virtue.

The noblest kind of retribution is not to become like your enemy.

Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own thoughts, unguarded.

I do desire we may be better strangers.

To need to dominate others is to need others. The commander is dependent.

Nothing is more narrow-minded than chauvinism or racial hatred. To me all men are equal; there are flatheads everywhere and I despise them all equally.