For me, my thoughts are my prostitutes.

There is no true sovereign except the nation; there can be no true legislator except the people.

First move me, astonish me, break my heart, let me tremble, weep, stare, be enraged-only then regale my eyes.

We swallow with one gulp the lie that flatters us, and drink drop by drop the truth which is bitter to us.

One must be oneself very little of a philosopher not to feel that the finest privilege of our reason consists in not believing in anything by the impulsion of a blind and mechanical instinct, and that it is to dishonour reason to put it in bonds as the Chaldeans did. Man is born to think for himself.

My friend, you should blow out your candle in order to find your way more clearly.

Those authors into whose hands nature has placed a magic wand, with which they no sooner touch us than we forget the unhappiness in life, than the darkness leaves our soul, and we are reconciled to existence, should be placed among the benefactors of the human race.