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.

You always admire what you really don't understand.

No man ever believes with a true and saving faith unless God inclines his heart; and no man when God does incline his heart can refrain from believing.

Clarity of mind means clarity of passion, too; this is why a great and clear mind loves ardently and sees distinctly what it loves.

Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.

The sole cause of all human misery is the inability of people to sit quietly in their rooms.

If men knew themselves, God would heal and pardon them.