Do we write books so that they shall merely be read? Don't we also write them for employment in the household? For one that is read from start to finish, thousands are leafed through, other thousands lie motionless, others are jammed against mouseholes, thrown at rats, others are stood on, sat on, drummed on, have gingerbread baked on them or are used to light pipes.

I have remarked very clearly that I am often of one opinion when I am lying down and of another when I am standing up.

Man…who lives in three places – in the past, in the present, and in the future – can be unhappy if one of these three is worthless. Religion has even added a fourth – eternity.

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

Rational free spirits are the light brigade who go on ahead and reconnoiter the ground which the heavy brigade of the orthodox will eventually occupy.

Every condition of the soul has its own sign and expression...So you will see how hard it is to seem original without being so.

Be attentive, feel nothing in vain, measure and compare: this is the whole law of philosophy.