Beauty is a harmonious relation between something in our nature and the quality of the object which delights us.

Noble deeds that are concealed are most esteemed.

Montaigne is wrong in declaring that custom ought to be followed simply because it is custom, and not because it is reasonable or just.

The Christian religion teaches me two points-that there is a God whom men can know, and that their nature is so corrupt that they are unworthy of Him.

Those who profess contempt for men, and put them on a level with beasts, yet wish to be admired and believed by men, and contradict themselves by their own feelings--their nature, which is stronger than all, convincing them of the greatness of man more forcibly than reason convinces them of his baseness.

A mere trifle consoles us, for a mere trifle distresses us.

All of our reasoning ends in surrender to feeling.