Christianity accepted as given a metaphysical system derived from several already existing and mutually incompatible systems.

So long as men worship the Caesars and Napoleons, Caesars and Napoleons will duly arise and make them miserable.

Science in itself is morally neutral; it becomes good or evil according as it is applied.

The gods are just. No doubt. But their code of law is dictated, in the last resort, by the people who organize society; Providence takes its cue from men.

I met, not long ago, a young man who aspired to become a novelist. Knowing that I was in the profession, he asked me to tell him how he should set to work to realize his ambition. I did my best to explain. 'The first thing,' I said, 'is to buy quite a lot of paper, a bottle of ink, and a pen. After that you merely have to write.'

Children are remarkable for their intelligence and ardor, for their curiosity, their intolerance of shams, the clarity and ruthlessness of their vision.

Our vanity makes us exaggerate the importance of human life; the individual is nothing; Nature cares only for the species.