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.

All sorrow has its root in man's inability to sit quiet in a room by himself.

Vanity of science. Knowledge of physical science will not console me for ignorance of morality in time of affliction, but knowledge of morality will always console me for ignorance of physical science.

The world is satisfied with words, few care to dive beneath the surface.

Words differently arranged have a different meaning, and meanings differently arranged have different effects.

The last thing that we find in making a book is to know what we must put first.

As men are not able to fight against death, misery, ignorance, they have taken it into their heads, in order to be happy, not to think of them at all.