Life is but a daily oscillation between revolt and submission.

Self-interest is an inexhaustible source of convenient illusions. The number of beings who wish to see truly is extraordinarily small.

You desire to know the art of living, my friend? It is contained in one phrase: make use of suffering.

Doing easily what others find difficult is talent; doing what is impossible for talent is genius.

The beautiful souls of the world have an art of saintly alchemy, by which bitterness is converted into kindness, the gall of human experience into gentleness, ingratitude into benefits, insults into pardon.

The philosopher is like a man fasting in the midst of universal intoxication. He alone perceives the illusion of which all creatures are the willing playthings; he is less duped than his neighbor by his own nature. He judges more sanely, he sees things as they are. It is in this that his liberty consists - in the ability to see clearly and soberly, in the power of mental record.

A thousand things advance; nine hundred and ninety nine retreat; That is progress.