Those whom we call ancient were really new in all things, and properly constituted the infancy of mankind.

We have so exalted a notion of the human soul that we cannot bear to be despised, or even not to be esteemed by it. Man, in fact, places all his happiness in this esteem.

When one does not love too much, one does not love enough.

If we regulate our conduct according to our own convictions, we may safely disregard the praise or censure of others.

All the miseries of mankind come from one thing, not knowing how to remain alone.

If god does not exist, one loses nothing by believing in him anyway, while if he does exist, one stands to lose everything by not believing.

The heart has its reasons, which Reason does not know. We feel it in a thousand things. It is the heart which feels God, and not Reason. This, then, is perfect faith: God felt in the heart.