It is now, and in this world, that we must live.

I can't expect others to share my virtues. It's good enough for me if they share my vices.

We live counterfeit lives in order to resemble the idea we first had of ourselves.

In order to judge properly, one must get away somewhat from what one is judging, after having loved it. This is true of countries, of persons, and of oneself.

Welcome anything that comes to you, but do not long for anything else.

They establish distinctions and reserves which I cannot apply to myself, for I exist only as a whole; my only claim is to be natural, and the pleasure I feel in an action, I take as a sign that I ought to do it.

The individual never asserts himself more than when he forgets himself.