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.

Man is so great that his greatness appears even in the consciousness of his misery. A tree does not know itself to be miserable. It is true that it is misery indeed to know one's self to be miserable; but then it is greatness also. In this way, all man's miseries go to prove his greatness. They are the miseries of a mighty potentate, of a dethroned monarch.

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

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

Mutual cheating is the foundation of society.

It is not in Montaigne, but in myself, that I find all that I see in him.

He who does not know his way to the sea should take a river for his guide.