Too much pleasure disagrees with us. Too many concords are annoying in music; too many benefits irritate us; we wish to have the wherewithal to overpay our debts.

We sail within a vast sphere, ever drifting in uncertainty, driven from end to end.

He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God's providence to lead him aright.

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.

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

Do you wish people to speak well of you? Then do not speak at all yourself.

All this visible world is but an imperceptible point in the ample bosom of nature.