Fool that I am," said he,"that I did not tear out my heart the day I resolved to revenge myself".

I do not cling to life sufficiently to fear death.

What would you not have accomplished if you had been free?" "Possibly nothing at all; the overflow of my brain would probably, in a state of freedom, have evaporated in a thousand follies; misfortune is needed to bring to light the treasures of the human intellect. Compression is needed to explode gunpowder. Captivity has brought my mental faculties to a focus; and you are well aware that from the collision of clouds electricity is produced — from electricity, lightning, from lightning, illumination.

When you compare the sorrows of real life to the pleasures of the imaginary one, you will never want to live again, only to dream forever.

Learning does not make one learned: there are those who have knowledge and those who have understanding. The first requires memory and the second philosophy

A person who doubts himself is like a man who would enlist in the ranks of his enemies and bear arms against himself.

Love is the most selfish of all the passions.