The Greeks possessed a knowledge of human nature we seem hardly able to attain to without passing through the strengthening hibernation of a new barbarism.

A book which, above all others in the world, should be forbidden, is a catalogue of forbidden books.

Great men too make mistakes, and many among them do it so often that one is almost tempted to call them little men.

Astronomy is perhaps the science whose discoveries owe least to chance, in which human understanding appears in its whole magnitude, and through which man can best learn how small he is.

The fruits of philosophy are the important thing, not the philosophy itself. When we ask the time, we don't want to know how watches are made.

How did mankind ever come by the idea of liberty? What a grand thought it was!

Nothing is more conducive to peace of mind than not having any opinion at all.