What a difficult thing it is to ask someone's advice on a matter without coloring his judgment by the way in which we present our problem.

All great amusements are dangerous to the Christian life; but among all those which the world has invented there is none more to be feared than the theater. It is a representation of the passions so natural and so delicate that it excites them and gives birth to them in our hearts, and, above all, to that of love.

Those who are clever in imagination are far more pleased with themselves than prudent men could reasonably be.

Men blaspheme what they do not know.

True eloquence makes light of eloquence, true morality makes light of morality; that is to say, the morality of the judgment, which has no rules, makes light of the morality of the intellect.... To make light of philosophy is to be a true philosopher.

In proportion as our own mind is enlarged we discover a greater number of men of originality. Commonplace people see no difference between one man and another.

Few friendships would survive if each one knew what his friend says of him behind his back.