I own that I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive.

So confident am I in the intentions, as well as wisdom, of the government, that I shall always be satisfied that what is not done, either cannot, or ought not to be done.

I am an Epicurean. I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greek and Roman leave to us.

I am very, very anti-slasher.

I'm very scruffy and messy in the way that I am and always have been.

It is a very big exaggeration to say I am a friend of Mr. Putin.