Something incomprehensible is not for that reason less real.

Man is so made that by continually telling him he is a fool he believes it, and by continually telling it to himself he makes himself believe it. For man holds an inward talk with himself, which it pays him to regulate.

It is superstitious to put one's hopes in formalities, but arrogant to refuse to submit to them.

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

It is not certain that everything is uncertain.

Lord, help me to do great things as though they were little, since I do them with your power; And little things as though they were great, since I do them in your name!

It is dangerous to explain too clearly to man how like he is to the animals without pointing out his greatness. It is also dangerous to make too much of his greatness without his vileness. It is still more dangerous to leave him in ignorance of both, but it is most valuable to represent both to him. Man must not be allowed to believe that he is equal either to animals or to angels, nor to be unaware of either, but he must know both.