The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.

When a nation gives birth to a man who is able to produce a great thought, another is born who is able to understand and admire it.

The beautiful invariably possesses a visible and a hidden beauty; and it is certain that no style is so beautiful as that which presents to the attentive reader a half-hidden meaning.

Happy is the man who can do only one thing; in doing it, he fulfills his destiny.

I do not call reason that brutal reason which crushes with its weight what is holy and sacred, that malignant reason which delights in the errors it succeeds in discovering, that unfeeling and scornful reason which insults credulity.

A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.

We shall always keep a spare corner in our heads to give passing hospitality to our friends' opinion.