The tribunal of the Inquisition, formed by Christian monks on the model of the tribunal of penitence, is contrary to all good order. Everywhere it has encountered a general revolt, and it would have succumbed to its contradictions if those who wanted to establish it had not found those very contradictions advantageous.

That tribunal is insupportable under any government. In a monarchy it can only form informers and traitors ; in republics it can only form dishonest persons ; in the despotic state it is destructive as is the state.