God is not He who is, but That which is.

No to laugh, not to lament, not to detest, but to understand.

Desire is the very essence of man

The multitude always strains after rarities and exceptions, and thinks little of the gifts of nature; so that, when prophecy is talked of, ordinary knowledge is not supposed to be included. Nevertheless it has as much right as any other to be called Divine.

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.

Philosophy has no end in view save truth; faith looks for nothing but obedience and piety.

Happiness is not the reward of virtue, but is virtue itself; nor do we delight in happiness because we restrain from our lusts; but on the contrary, because we delight in it, therefore we are able to restrain them.