Imagine the world so greatly magnified that particles of light look like twenty-four-pound cannon balls.

To be content with life or to live merrily, rather all that is required is that we bestow on all things only a fleeting, superficial glance; the more thoughtful we become the more earnest we grow.

He who is in love with himself has at least this advantage - he won't encounter many rivals.

The sure conviction that we could if we wanted to is the reason so many good minds are idle.

Diogenes, filthily attired, paced across the splendid carpets in Plato's dwelling. Thus, said he, do I trample on the pride of Plato. Yes, Plato replied, but only with another kind of pride.

The most heated defenders of a science, who cannot endure the slightest sneer at it, are commonly those who have not made very much progress in it and are secretly aware of this defect.

Deliberate virtue is never worth much: The virtue of feeling or habit is the thing.