There are vices which have no hold upon us, but in connection with others; and which, when you cut down the trunk, fall like the branches.

You see, if the height of the mercury [barometer] column is less on the top of a mountain than at the foot of it (as I have many reasons for believing, although everyone who has so far written about it is of the contrary opinion), it follows that the weight of the air must be the sole cause of the phenomenon, and not that abhorrence of a vacuum, since it is obvious that at the foot of the mountain there is more air to have weight than at the summit, and we cannot possibly say that the air at the foot of the mountain has a greater aversion to empty space than at the top.

When we see an effect happen always in the same manner, we infer that it takes place by a natural necessity; as, for instance, that the sun will rise to morrow; but nature often deceives us, and will not submit to its own rules.

The exterior must be joined to the interior to obtain anything from God, that is to say, we must kneel, pray with the lips, and soon, in order that proud man, who would not submit himself to God, may be now subject to the creature.

Symmetry is what we see at a glance; based on the fact that there is no reason for any difference.

Justice is what is established; and thus all our established laws will necessarily be regarded as just without examination, since they are established.

There is enough light for those who only desire to see, and enough obscurity for those who have a contrary disposition