It is not from space that I must seek my dignity, but from the government of my thought. I shall have no more if I possess worlds. By space the universe encompasses and swallows me up like an atom; by thought I comprehend the world.

It is not possible to have reasonable grounds for not believing in miracles.

I take it as a matter not to be disputed, that if all knew what each said of the other, there would not be four friends in the world. This seems proved by the quarrels and disputes caused by the disclosures which are occasionally made.

Most of the evils of life arise from man's being unable to sit still in a room.

The arithmetical machine produces effects that approach nearer to thought than all the actions of animals. But it does nothing that would enable us to attribute will to it, as to the animals.

Continuity in everything is unpleasant.

Flies are so mighty that they win battles, paralyse our minds, eat up our bodies.