Slowness is frequently the cause of much greater slowness.

The coffee is prepared in such a way that it makes those who drink it witty: at least there is not a single soul who, on quitting the house, does not believe himself four times wittier that when he entered it.

I have read descriptions of Paradise that would make any sensible person stop wanting to go there.

People here argue about religion interminably, but it appears that they are competing at the same time to see who can be the least devout.

The life of man is but a succession of vain hopes and groundless fears.

Republics come to an end by luxurious habits; monarchies by poverty.

Ever since the invention of gunpowder.. I continually tremble lest men should, in the end, uncover some secret which would provide a short way of abolishing mankind, of annihilating peoples and nations in their entirety.