What are our natural principles but principles of custom?

[Unbelievers] think they have made great efforts to get at the truth when they have spent a few hours in reading some book out of Holy Scripture, and have questioned some cleric about the truths of the faith. After that, they boast that they have searched in books and among men in vain.

Just as I do not know where I came from, so I do not know where I am going. All I know is that when I leave this world I shall fall forever into oblivion, or into the hands of an angry God, without knowing which of the two will be my lot for eternity. Such is my state of mind, full of weakness and uncertainty. The only conclusion I can draw from all this is that I must pass my days without a thought of trying to find out what is going to happen to me.

One must have deeper motives and judge everything accordingly, but go on talking like an ordinary person.

Eloquence is a painting of thought; and thus those who, after having painted it, add something more, make a picture instead of a portrait.

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

The sole cause of man's unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room.