When we know to read our own hearts, we acquire wisdom of the heartsof others.

You can be sure that a painter reveals himself in his work as much as and more than a writer does in his.

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?

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

They mistake the first manifestations of a developing sexual nature for the voice of God calling them to Himself; and it is precisely when nature is inciting them that they embrace a fashion of life contrary to nature's wish.

If there were a reason for preferring the Christian religion to natural religion, it would be because the former offers us, on the nature of God and man, enlightenment that the latter lacks. Now, this is not at all the case; for Christianity, instead of clarifying, gives rise to an infinite multitude of obscurities and difficulties.

The enjoyment of freedom which could be exercised without any motivation would be the real hallmark of a maniac.