For my part, the thing I would wish to obtain from money would be leisure with security. But what the typical modern man desires to get with it is more money, with a view to ostentation, splendour, and the outshining of those who have hitherto been his equals.

Politics is largely governed by sententious platitudes which are devoid of truth

What we cannot think we cannot think, therefore we also cannot say what we cannot think.

There are two ways of avoiding fear: one is by persuading ourselves that we are immune from disaster, and the other is by the practice of sheer courage. The latter is difficult, and to everybody becomes impossible at a certain point. The former has therefore always been more popular. Primitive magic has the purpose of securing safety, either by injuring enemies, or by protecting oneself by talismans, spells, or incantations.

People are zealous for a cause when they are not quite positive that it is true.

No nation was ever so virtuous as each believes itself, and none was ever so wicked as each believes the other.

All serious innovation is only rendered possible by some accident enabling unpopular persons to survive.