All mankind's troubles are caused by one single thing, which is their inability to sit quietly.

Since we cannot know all that there is to be known about anything, we ought to know a little about everything.

Men often take their imagination for their heart; and they believe they are converted as soon as they think of being converted.

No one is ignorant that there are two avenues by which opinions are received into the soul, which are its two principal powers: the understanding and the will.

The supreme function of reason is to show man that some things are beyond reason.

Since we cannot be universal and know all that is to be known of everything, we ought to know a little about everything. For it is far better to know something about everything than to know all about one thing. This universality is the best. If we can have both, still better; but if we must choose, we ought to choose the former.

Civil wars are the greatest of evils. They are inevitable, if we wish to reward merit, for all will say that they are meritorious.