Curiosity is only vanity. We usually only want to know something so that we can talk about it.

The strength of a man's virtue should not be measured by his special exertions, but by his habitual acts.

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.

All our troubles come from not being able to be alone.

God is, or He is not." But to which side shall we incline? Reason can decide nothing here. There is an infinite chaos which separated us. A game is being played at the extremity of this infinite distance where heads or tails will turn up. What will you wager?

It is not permitted to the most equitable of men to be a judge in his own cause.

Being unable to cure death, wretchedness, and ignorance, men have decided, in order to be happy, not to think about such things.