Thus the creation, which seems an arbitrary act, supposes laws as invariable as those of the fatality of the Atheists. It would be absurd to say that the Creator might govern the world without those rules, since without them it could not subsist.

There is hardly any grief that an hour's reading will not dissipate.

A fondness for reading changes the inevitable dull hours of our life into exquisite hours of delight.

Republics end through luxury; monarchies through poverty.

There is no one, says another, whom fortune does not visit once in his life; but when she does not find him ready to receive her, she walks in at the door, and flies out at the window.

Brutes are deprived of the high advantages which we have; but they have some which we have not. They have not our hopes, but theyare without our fears; they are subject like us to death, but without knowing it; even most of them are more attentive than we to self-preservation, and do not make so bad a use of their passions.

Love of reading enables a man to exchange the weary hours, which come to every one, for hours of delight.