Men will find that they can ... avoid far more easily the perils which beset them on all sides by united action.

He that can carp in the most eloquent or acute manner at the weakness of the human mind is held by his fellows as almost divine.

Everything excellent is as difficult as it is rare.

Fame has also this great drawback, that if we pursue it, we must direct our lives so as to please the fancy of men.

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

Human infirmity in moderating and checking the emotions I name bondage : for, when a man is a prey to his emotions, he is not his own master, but lies at the mercy of fortune : so much so, that he is often compelled, while seeing that which is better for him, to follow that which is worse.

Men are especially intolerant of serving and being ruled by, their equals.