If the way which I have pointed out as leading to this result (i.e., power over the emotions by which the wise man surpasses the ignorant man) seems exceedingly hard, it may nevertheless be discovered. Needs must it be hard, since it is so seldom found. How would it be possible, if salvation were ready to our hand, and could without great labour be found, that it should be by almost all men neglected? But all things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.

He who has a true idea, knows at that same time that he has a true idea, nor can he doubt concerning the truth of the thing.

If slavery, barbarism and desolation are to be called peace, men can have no worse misfortune.

Men believe themselves to be free, simply because they are conscious of their actions, and unconscious of the causes whereby those actions are determined.

As men's habits of mind differ, so that some more readily embrace one form of faith, some another, for what moves one to pray may move another to scoff, I conclude ... that everyone should be free to choose for himself the foundations of his creed, and that faith should be judged only by its fruits.

The greater emotion with which we conceive a loved object to be affected toward us, the greater will be our complacency.

He, who knows how to distinguish between true and false, must have an adequate idea of true and false.