We are only falsehood, duplicity, contradiction; we both conceal and disguise ourselves from ourselves.

All the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly in their own chamber.

Man is obviously made for thinking. Therein lies all his dignity and his merit; and his whole duty is to think as he ought.

Who confers reputation? who gives respect and veneration to persons, to books, to great men? Who but Opinion? How utterly insufficient are all the riches of the world without her approbation!

Faith embraces many truths which seem to contradict each other.

Civil wars are the greatest of evils. They are inevitable, if we wish to reward merit, for all will say that they are meritorious.

Bless yourself with holy water, have Masses said, and so on; by a simple and natural process this will make you believe, and will dull you - will quiet your proudly critical intellect.