Every generation, no matter how paltry its character, thinks itself much wiser than the one immediately preceding it, let alone those that are more remote.

It is with trifles, and when he is off guard, that a man best reveals his character.

Genius is an intellect that has become unfaithful to its destiny.

A book can never be anything more than the impression of its author’s thoughts. The value of these thoughts lies either in the matter about which he has thought, or in the form in which he develops his matter — that is to say, what he has thought about it.

Reason deserves to be called a prophet; for in showing us the consequence and effect of our actions in the present, does it not tell us what the future will be?

We seldom think of what we have but always of what we lack. Therefore, rather than grateful, we are bitter.

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