The commonplace expression that life is nothing but a play is verified above all in this: the world speaks absolutely consistently in one way and acts absolutely consistently in another.

The artist's conception of his art or the scientist's of his science is usually as great as his conception of his own worth is small.

It's interesting to observe that almost all truly worthy men have simple manners, and that simple manners are almost always taken as a sign of little worth

Man is almost always as wicked as his needs require.

Irresolute men are sometimes very persistent in their undertakings, because if they give up their designs they would have to make a second resolution.

The surest way of concealing from others the boundaries of one s own knowledge is not to overstep them.

He who doubts, knows - knows as much as can be known.