If religion has given birth to all that is essential in society, it is because the idea of society is the soul of religion.

Society is not a mere sum of individuals. Rather, the system formed by their association represents a specific reality which has its own characteristics... The group thinks, feels, and acts quite differently from the way in which its members would were they isolated. If, then, we begin with the individual, we shall be able to understand nothing of what takes place in the group.

There is no sociology worthy of the name which does not possess a historical character.

We do not condemn it because it is a crime, but it is a crime because we condemn it.

The man whose whole activity is diverted to inner meditation becomes insensible to all his surroundings. His passions are mere appearances, being sterile. They are dissipated in futile imaginings, producing nothing external to themselves.

One cannot long remain so absorbed in contemplation of emptiness without being increasingly attracted to it. In vain one bestows on it the name of infinity; this does not change its nature. When one feels such pleasure in non-existence, one's inclination can be completely satisfied only by completely ceasing to exist.

It is too great comfort which turns a man against himself. Life is most readily renounced at the time and among the classes where it is least harsh.