I would warn you that I do not attribute to nature either beauty or deformity, order or confusion. Only in relation to our imagination can things be called beautiful or ugly, well-ordered or confused.

It may easily come to pass that a vain man may become proud and imagine himself pleasing to all when he is in reality a universal nuisance.

It is sure that those are most desirous of honour or glory who cry out loudest of its abuse and the vanity of the world.

I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn human actions, but to understand them.

The mind can only imagine anything, or remember what is past, while the body endures.

I do not believe anyone has reached such perfection, surpassing all others, except Christ, to whom God immediately revealed - without words or visions - the conditions which lead to salvation.

The most tyrannical of governments are those which make crimes of opinions, for everyone has an inalienable right to his thoughts.