It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. And if the fool, or the pig, are of a different opinion, it is because they only know their own side of the question.

I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting to satisfy them.

My father taught me that the question Who made me? cannot be answered, since it immediately suggests the further question, Who made God?

Ask yourself whether you are happy and you cease to be so. The only chance is to treat not happiness, but some end external to it, as the purpose of life.

The habit of analysis has a tendency to wear away the feelings.

It is a law, that every event depends on some law.

Every opinion which embodies somewhat of the portion of truth which the common opinion omits, ought to be considered precious, with whatever amount of error and confusion that truth may be blended.