There's a bit of testicle at the bottom of our most sublime feelings and our purest tenderness.

If reason be a gift of Heaven, and we can say as much of faith, Heaven has certainly made us two gifts not only incompatible, but in direct contradiction to each other. In order to solve the difficulty, we are compelled to say either that faith is a chimera or that reason is useless.

Does not vanity itself cease to be blamable, is it not even ennobled, when it is directed to laudable objects, when it confines itself to prompting us to great and generous actions?

Those who fear the facts will forever try to discredit the fact-finders.

I discuss with myself questions of politics, love, taste, or philosophy. I let my mind rove wantonly, give it free rein to followany idea, wise or mad that may present itself. My ideas are my harlots.

What has not been examined impartially has not been well examined. Skepticism is therefore the first step towards truth.

The world is the house of the strong.