Only the descent into the hell of self-knowledge can pave the way to godliness.

The business of philosophy is not to give rules, but to analyze the private judgments of common reason.

Our knowledge springs from two fundamental sources of the mind; the first is the capacity of receiving representations (receptivity for impressions), the second is the power of knowing an object through these representations (spontaneity [in the production] of concepts).

Art is purposiveness without purpose.

Democracy is necessarily despotism, as it establishes an executive power contrary to the general will; all being able to decide against one whose opinion may differ, the will of all is therefore not that of all: which is contradictory and opposite to liberty.

Have patience awhile; slanders are not long-lived. Truth is the child of time; erelong she shall appear to vindicate thee.

God, freedom, and immortality are untenable in the light of pure reason.