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

How hollow is the heart of man, and how full of excrement!

We never love a person, but only qualities.

All men naturally hate one another. I hold it a fact, that if men knew exactly what one says of the other, there would not be four friends in the world.

If he exalts himself, I humble him. If he humbles himself, I exalt him. And I go on contradicting him Until he understands That he is a monster that passes all understanding.

The mind of the greatest man on earth is not so independent of circumstances as not to feel inconvenienced by the merest buzzing noise about him; it does not need the report of a cannon to disturb his thoughts. The creaking of a vane or a pully is quite enough. Do not wonder that he reasons ill just now; a fly is buzzing by his ear; it is quite enough to unfit him for giving good counsel.

Being unable to cure death, wretchedness, and ignorance, men have decided, in order to be happy, not to think about such things.