Those who wish to seek out the cause of miracles and to understand the things of nature as philosophers, and not to stare at them in astonishment like fools, are soon considered heretical and impious, and proclaimed as such by those whom the mob adores as the interpreters of nature and the gods.

Statesman are suspected of plotting against mankind, rather than consulting their interests, and are esteemed more crafty than learned.

We can always get along better by reason and love of truth than by worry of conscience and remorse...we should strive to keep worry from our life.

I make this chief distinction between religion and superstition, that the latter is founded on ignorance, the former on knowledge.

Things which are accidentally the causes either of hope or fear are called good or evil omens.

He who lives according to the guidance of reason strives as much as possible to repay the hatred, anger, or contempt of others towards himself with love or generosity. ...hatred is increased by reciprocal hatred, and, on the other hand, can be extinguished by love, so that hatred passes into love.

The mind has greater power over the emotions, and is less subject thereto, insofar as it understands all things to be necessary.