When some passion or effect is described in a natural style, we find within ourselves the truth of what we hear, without knowing it was there.

We must know where to doubt, where to feel certain, where to submit. He who does not do so, understands not the force of reason.

Happiness can be found neither in ourselves nor in external things, but in God and in ourselves as united to him.

I feel engulfed in the infinite immensity of spaces whereof I know nothing, and which know nothing of me, I am terrified The eternal silence of these infinite spaces alarms me.

There is a certain standard of grace and beauty which consists in a certain relation between our nature, such as it is, weak or strong, and the thing which pleases us. Whatever is formed according to this standard pleases us, be it house, song, discourse, verse, prose, woman, birds, rivers, trees, room, dress, and so on. Whatever is not made according to this standard displeases those who have good taste.

That which makes us go so far for love is that we never think that we might have need of anything besides that which we love.

To have no time for philosophy is to be a true philosopher.