There are plenty of maxims in the world; all that remains is to apply them.

(Man,) the glory and the scandal of the universe.

All err the more dangerously because each follows a truth. Their mistake lies not in following a falsehood but in not following another truth.

Vanity is so secure in the heart of man that everyone wants to be admired: even I who write this, and you who read this.

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

Piety is different from superstition. To carry piety to the extent of superstition is to destroy it. The heretics reproach us with this superstitious submission. It is doing what they reproach us with.

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.