Nothing is necessary except God, and nothing is less necessary than pain.

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.

In the works of man, everything is as poor as its author; vision is confined, means are limited, scope is restricted, movements are labored, and results are humdrum.

False opinions are like false money, struck first of all by guilty men and thereafter circulated by honest people who perpetuate the crime without knowing what they are doing.

To know how to wait. It is the great secret of success.

I do not know what the heart of a rascal may be, but I know what is in the heart of an honest man; it is horrible.

Every country has the government it deserves.