We are so constituted by Nature that we easily believe the things we hope for, but believe only with difficulty those we fear, and that we regard such things more or less highly than is just. This is the source of the superstitions by which men everywhere are troubled. For the rest, I don

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

There is no fear without some hope, and no hope without some fear.

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

The greatest pride, or the greatest despondency, is the greatest ignorance of one's self.

He who wishes to revenge injuries by reciprocal hatred will live in misery. But he who endeavors to drive away hatred by means of love, fights with pleasure and confidence; he resists equally one or many men, and scarcely needs at all the help of fortune. Those whom he conquers yield joyfully

.... we are a part of nature as a whole, whose order we follow.