Patriotism is the passion of fools and the most foolish of passions.

When a new truth enters the world, the first stage of reaction to it is ridicule, the second stage is violent opposition, and in the third stage, that truth comes to be regarded as self-evident.

There is no opinion, however absurd, which men will not readily embrace as soon as they can be brought to the conviction that it is generally adopted.

To be alone is the fate of all great minds—a fate deplored at times, but still always chosen as the less grievous of two evils.

Great men are like eagles, and build their nest on some lofty solitude.

With health, everything is a source of pleasure; without it, nothing else, whatever it may be, is enjoyable...Healt h is by far the most important element in human happiness.

Apart from man, no being wonders at its own experience.