The least movement is of importance to all nature. The entire ocean is affected by a pebble.

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

To scorn philosophy is truly to philosophize.

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.

We do not worry about being respected in towns through which we pass. But if we are going to remain in one for a certain time, we do worry. How long does this time have to be?

It is of dangerous consequence to represent to man how near he is to the level of beasts, without showing him at the same time his greatness. It is likewise dangerous to let him see his greatness without his meanness. It is more dangerous yet to leave him ignorant of either; but very beneficial that he should be made sensible of both.

The last thing we decide in writing a book is what to put first.