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.

The man who first pronounced the barbarous word God ought to have been immediately destroyed.

Which is the greater merit, to enlighten the human race, which remains forever, or to save one's fatherland, which is perishable?

There is only one duty; that is to be happy.

All things must be examined, debated, investigated without exception and without regard for anyone's feelings.

Only the bad man is alone.

Whatever dressing one gives to mushrooms, to whatever sauces our Apiciuses put them, they are not really good but to be sent back to the dungheap where they are born.