Nature imitates herself. A grain thrown into good ground brings forth fruit; a principle thrown into a good mind brings forth fruit. Everything is created and conducted by the same Master-the root, the branch, the fruits-the principles, the consequences.

Man is neither angel nor beast.

There is no arena in which vanity displays itself under such a variety of forms as in conversation.

As men are not able to fight against death, misery, ignorance, they have taken it into their heads, in order to be happy, not to think of them at all.

Those we call the ancients were really new in everything.

Look somewhere else for someone who can follow you in your researches about numbers. For my part, I confess that they are far beyond me, and I am competent only to admire them.

There are some who speak well and write badly. For the place and the audience warm them, and draw from their minds more than they think of without that warmth.