There would be too great darkness, if truth had not visible signs.

Whilst in speaking of human things, we say that it is necessary to know them before we love can them. The saints on the contrary say in speaking of divine things that it is necessary to love them in order to know them, and that we only enter truth through charity.

We should seek the truth without hesitation; and, if we refuse it, we show that we value the esteem of men more than the search for truth.

If we examine our thoughts, we shall find them always occupied with the past or the future.

Law was once introduced without reason, and has become reasonable.

Without [diversion] we would be in a state of weariness, and this weariness would spur us on to seek a more solid means of escaping from it. But diversion amuses us, and leads us unconsciously to death.

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