It is dangerous to explain too clearly to man how like he is to the animals without pointing out his greatness. It is also dangerous to make too much of his greatness without his vileness. It is still more dangerous to leave him in ignorance of both, but it is most valuable to represent both to him. Man must not be allowed to believe that he is equal either to animals or to angels, nor to be unaware of either, but he must know both.

Don't try to add more years to your life. Better add more life to your years.

Equality of possessions is no doubt right, but, as men could not make might obey right, they have made right obey might.

Just as I do not know where I came from, so I do not know where I am going. All I know is that when I leave this world I shall fall forever into oblivion, or into the hands of an angry God, without knowing which of the two will be my lot for eternity. Such is my state of mind, full of weakness and uncertainty. The only conclusion I can draw from all this is that I must pass my days without a thought of trying to find out what is going to happen to me.

Justice is what is established; and thus all our established laws will necessarily be regarded as just without examination, since they are established.

People are generally better persuaded by the reasons which they have themselves discovered than by those which have come in to the mind of others.

You always admire what you really don't understand.