Discourses on humility are a source of pride in the vain and of humility in the humble. So those on scepticism cause believers to affirm. Few men speak humbly of humility, chastely of chastity, few doubtingly of scepticism.

People almost invariably arrive at their beliefs not on the basis of proof but on the basis of what they find attractive.

Faith indeed tells what the senses do not tell, but not the contrary of what they see. It is above them and not contrary to them.

Human life is thus only an endless illusion. Men deceive and flatter each other. No one speaks of us in our presence as he does when we are gone. Society is based on mutual hypocrisy.

Everyone, without exception, is searching for happiness.

I can readily conceive of a man without hands or feet; and I could conceive of him without a head, if experience had not taught me that by this he thinks, Thought then, is the essence of man, and without this we cannot conceive of him.

Beauty is a harmonious relation between something in our nature and the quality of the object which delights us.