The world stands on absurdities, and without them perhaps nothing at all would happen.

Without a clear perception of his reasons for living, man will never consent to live, and will rather destroy himself than tarry on earth, though he be surrounded with bread".

But people will laugh at all sorts of things.

Man is sometimes extraordinarily, passionately, in love with suffering.

Sarcasm: the last refuge of modest and chaste-souled people when the privacy of their soul is coarsely and intrusively invaded.

I am told that the proximity of punishment arouses real repentance in the criminal and sometimes awakens a feeling of genuine remorse in the most hardened heart; I am told this is due to fear.

To begin with unlimited freedom is to end with unlimited despotism.