People almost invariably arrive at their beliefs not on the basis of proof but on the basis of what they find attractive.

Bless yourself with holy water, have Masses said, and so on; by a simple and natural process this will make you believe, and will dull you - will quiet your proudly critical intellect.

Nature has made all her truths independent of one another. Our art makes one dependent on the other. But this is not natural. Each keeps its own place.

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?

Eloquence is a painting of thought; and thus those who, after having painted it, add something more, make a picture instead of a portrait.

Man is neither angel nor beast.

To find recreation in amusement is not happiness.