The wisest man would be the one richest in contradictions, who has, as it were, antennae for all types of men---as well as his great moments of grand harmony---a rare accident even in us! A sort of planetary motion---

To be the equal of one's opponent-this is the first condition of an honourable duel.

A nation is a detour of nature to arrive at five or six great men- yes, and then to get around them.

From passions grow opinions; intellectual laziness lets these harden into convictions.

Whether a man hides his bad qualities and vices or confesses them openly, his vanity wants to gain an advantage by it in both cases: just note how subtly he distinguishes between those he will hide his bad qualities from and those he will face honestly and candidly.

We are terrified by the idea of being terrified.

The value of a thing sometimes lies not in what one attains with it, but in what one pays for it - what it costs us