Human life is thus only a perpetual illusion; men deceive and flatter each other. No one speaks of us in our presence as he does of us in our absence. Human society is founded on mutual deceit; few friendships would endure if each knew what his friend said of him in his absence, although he then spoke in sincerity and without passion.

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

Il n'est pas certain que tout soit incertain. (Translation: It is not certain that everything is uncertain.)

We implore the mercy of God, not that He may leave us at peace in our vices, but that He may deliver us from them.

It is the heart which perceives God and not the reason. That is what faith is: God perceived by the heart, not by the reason.

Nothing gives rest but the sincere search for truth.

That which makes us go so far for love is that we never think that we might have need of anything besides that which we love.