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

The man who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides. Accept life, and you must accept regret.

Our dependence outweighs our independence, for we are independent only in our desire, while we are dependent on our health, on nature, on society, on everything in us and outside us.

Tears are the symbol of the inability of the soul to restrain its emotion and retain its self command.

Mutual respect implies discretion and reserve even in love itself; it means preserving as much liberty as possible to those whose life we share. We must distrust our instinct of intervention, for the desire to make one's own will prevail is often disguised under the mask of solicitude.

Pure truth cannot be assimilated by the crowd; it must be communicated by contagion.

Heroism is the brilliant triumph of the soul over the flesh - over fear...Heroism is the dazzling and glorious concentration of courage.