There should be in eloquence that which is pleasing and that which is real; but that which is pleasing should itself be real.

We should seek the truth without hesitation; and, if we refuse it, we show that we value the esteem of men more than the search for truth.

The origins of disputes between philosophers is, that one class of them have undertaken to raise man by displaying his greatness, and the other to debase him by showing his miseries.

Curiosity is nothing more than vanity. More often than not we only seek knowledge to show it off.

No one is offended at not seeing everything; but one does not like to be mistaken, and that perhaps arises from the fact that man naturally cannot see everything, and that naturally he cannot err in the side he looks at, since the perceptions of our senses are always true.

If I had more time I would write a shorter letter.

Justice without force is powerless; force without justice is tyrannical.