Losses are comparative; imagination only makes them of any moment.

There would be too great darkness, if truth had not visible signs.

Extremes are for us as if they were not, and as if we were not in regard to them; they escape from us, or we from them.

We are fools to depend upon the society of our fellow-men. Wretched as we are, powerless as we are, they will not aid us; we shall die alone.

To go beyond the bounds of moderation is to outrage humanity. The greatness of the human soul is shown by knowing how to keep within proper bounds. There are two equally dangerous extremes- to shut reason out, and not to let nothing in.

Justice and truth are two such subtle points, that our tools are too blunt to touch them accurately.

Eloquence is a way of saying things in such a way, first, that those to whom we speak may listen to them without pain and with pleasure, and second, that they feel themselves interested, so that self-love leads them more willingly to reflection upon it.