And is it not obvious that, just as it is a crime to disturb the peace when truth reigns, it is also a crime to remain at peace when the truth is being destroyed?

If man should commence by studying himself, he would see how impossible it is to go further.

It is not permitted to the most equitable of men to be a judge in his own cause.

All great amusements are dangerous to the Christian life; but among all those which the world has invented there is none more to be feared than the theater. It is a representation of the passions so natural and so delicate that it excites them and gives birth to them in our hearts, and, above all, to that of love.

Man is only a reed, the weakest in nature, but he is a thinking reed. There is no need for the whole universe to take up arms to crush him: a vapour, a drop of water is enough to kill him. but even if the universe were to crush him, man would still be nobler than his slayer, because he knows that he is dying and the advantage the universe has over him. The universe knows none of this.

Equality of possessions is no doubt right, but, as men could not make might obey right, they have made right obey might.

Vanity is so secure in the heart of man that everyone wants to be admired: even I who write this, and you who read this.