Curiosity is only vanity. Most frequently we wish not to know, but to talk. We would not take a sea voyage for the sole pleasure of seeing without hope of ever telling.

He who does not know his way to the sea should take a river for his guide.

We have so exalted a notion of the human soul that we cannot bear to be despised, or even not to be esteemed by it. Man, in fact, places all his happiness in this esteem.

The weather and my mood have little connection. I have my foggy and my fine days within me; my prosperity or misfortune has little to do with the matter.

Faith is a sounder guide than reason. Reason can only go so far, but faith has no limits.

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

All the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly in their own chamber.