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.

Men despise religion. They hate it and are afraid it may be true.

I do not admire a virtue like valour when it is pushed to excess, if I do not see at the same time the excess of the opposite virtue, as one does in Epaminondas, who displayed extreme valour and extreme benevolence. For otherwise it is not an ascent, but a fall. We do not display our greatness by placing ourselves at one extremity, but rather by being at both at the same time, and filling up the whole of the space between them.

Most of the evils of life arise from man's being unable to sit still in a room.

The multitude which does not reduce itself to unity is confusion.

Jesus Christ came to tell men that they have no enemies but themselves.

Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.