The concept of number is the obvious distinction between the beast and man. Thanks to number, the cry becomes a song, noise acquires rhythm, the spring is transformed into a dance, force becomes dynamic, and outlines figures.

If there was no moral evil upon earth, there would be no physical evil.

Man is so muddled, so dependent on the things immediately before his eyes, that every day even the most submissive believer can be seen to risk the torments of the afterlife for the smallest pleasure.

Man is insatiable for power; he is infantile in his desires and, always discontented with what he has, loves only what he has not. People complain of the despotism of princes; they ought to complain of the despotism of man.

What is needed is not a revolution in the opposite direction, but the opposite of a revolution.

Reason speaks in words alone, but love has a song.

Man in general, if reduced to himself, is too wicked to be free.