A lack of the historical sense is the hereditary fault of all philosophers.

When on a Sunday morning we hear the old bells ring out, we ask ourselves, "Is it possible! This is done on account of a Jew crucified two thousand years ago who said he was the Son of God. The proof of such an assertion is wanting".

If all alms were given only from pity, all beggars would have starved long ago.

Where there is the tree of knowledge, there is always Paradise: so say the most ancient and most modern serpents.

Horrible experiences lead us to wonder whether the person who experiences them might not be something horrible.

One should only question gods where none but gods can reply.

Every man has his price. This is not true. But for every man there exists a bait which he cannot resist swallowing. To win over certain people to something, it is only necessary to give it a gloss of love of humanity, nobility, gentleness, self-sacrifice - and there is nothing you cannot get them to swallow. To their souls, these are the icing, the tidbit; other kinds of souls have others.