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

People almost invariably arrive at their beliefs not on the basis of proof but on the basis of what they find attractive.

Men often take their imagination for their heart; and they believe they are converted as soon as they think of being converted.

Nothing is so conformable to reason as to disavow reason.

We have so exalted a notion of the human soul that we cannot bear to be despised, or even not to be esteemed by it. Man, in fact, places all his happiness in this esteem.

All mankind's troubles are caused by one single thing, which is their inability to sit quietly.

Meanings receive their dignity from words instead of giving it to them.