The fire which enlightens is the same fire which consumes.

Sympathy is the first condition of criticism; reason and justice presuppose, at their origin, emotion.

Great men are true men, the men in whom nature has succeeded. They are not extraordinary - they are in the true order. It is the other species of men who are not what they ought to be.

We are never more discontented with others than when we are discontented with ourselves.

Common sense is the measure of the possible; it is composed of experience and prevision; it is calculation applied to life.

Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark.

Philosophy means the complete liberty of the mind, and therefore independence of all social, political or religious prejudice... It loves one thing only... truth.