We implore the mercy of God, not that He may leave us at peace in our vices, but that He may deliver us from them.

The immortality of the soul is a matter which is of so great consequence to us and which touches us so profoundly that we must have lost all feeling to be indifferent about it.

We must keep our thought secret, and judge everything by it, while talking like the people.

True eloquence makes light of eloquence, true morality makes light of morality; that is to say, the morality of the judgment, which has no rules, makes light of the morality of the intellect.... To make light of philosophy is to be a true philosopher.

The last thing we decide in writing a book is what to put first.

It is an appalling thing to feel all one possesses drain away.

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