We do not worry about being respected in towns through which we pass. But if we are going to remain in one for a certain time, we do worry. How long does this time have to be?

Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.

By a peculiar prerogative, not only each individual is making daily advances in the sciences, and may make advances in morality (which is the science, by way of eminence, of living well and being happy), but all mankind together is making a continual progress in proportion as the universe grows older. So that the whole human race, during the course of so many ages, may be considered as one man who never ceases to live and learn.

The past and present are only our means; the future is always our end. Thus we never really live, but only hope to live.

We are so presumptuous that we wish to be known to all the world, even to those who come after us; and we are so vain that the esteem of five or six persons immediately around us is enough to amuse and satisfy us.

We are only falsehood, duplicity, contradiction; we both conceal and disguise ourselves from ourselves.

When a soldier complains of his hard life (or a labourer, etc.) try giving him nothing to do.