To be and to think are one and the same for us.

Let us suppose, that the Old and New worlds were formerly but one continent, and that, by a violent earthquake, the ancient Atalantis [sic] of Plato was sunk ... The sea would necessarily rush in from all quarters, and form what is now called the Atlantic ocean.

For the little that one has reflected on the origin of our knowledge, it is easy to perceive that we can acquire it only by means of comparison. That which is absolutely incomparable is wholly incomprehensible. God is the only example that we could give here. He cannot be comprehended, because he cannot be compared. But all which is susceptible of comparison, everything that we can perceive by different aspects, all that we can consider relatively, can always be judged according to our knowledge.

There is nothing good in love but the physical part.

Man thinks, and at once becomes the master of the beings that do not think.

The dog has no ambition, no self-interest, no desire for vengeance, no fear other than that of displeasing.

Writing well is at one and the same time good thinking, good feeling, and good expression; it is having wit, soul, and taste, all together.