Government is the political representative of a natural equilibrium, of custom, of inertia; it is by no means a representative of reason.

The God to whom depth in philosophy bring back men's minds is far from being the same from whom a little philosophy estranges them

Religions are the great fairy tales of conscience.

The truth is cruel, but it can be loved, and it makes free those who have loved it.

Nothing can so pierce the soul as the uttermost sigh of the body.

As widowers proverbially marry again, so a man with the habit of friendship always finds new friends.

Reason and happiness are like other flowers; they wither when plucked.