The evil that is in the world always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence, if they lack understanding.

The principles which men give to themselves end by overwhelming their noblest intentions.

To grow old is to pass from passion to compassion.

Human rebellion ends in metaphysical revolution. It progresses from appearances to acts, from the dandy to the revolutionary.

Absolute virtue is impossible and the republic of forgiveness leads, with implacable logic, to the republic of the guillotine.

The world is unimportant and whoever recognizes this conquers his liberty.

To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.