The monuments of the nations are all protests against nothingness after death; so are statues and inscriptions; so is history.

There is no law by which to determine the superiority of nations; hence the vanity of the claim, and the idleness of disputes about it. A people risen, run their race, and die either of themselves or at the hands of another, who, succeeding to their power, take possession of their place, and upon their monuments write new names; such is history.

The monuments of the nations are all protests against nothingness after death; so are statues and inscriptions; so is history.

Repentance must be something more than mere remorse for sins: it comprehends a change of nature befitting heaven.

The smallest bird cannot light upon the greatest tree without sending a shock to its most distant fiber.

It is more beautiful to trust in God. The beautiful in this world is all from his hand, declaring the perfection of taste; he is the author of all form; he clothes the lily, he colours the rose, he distils the dewdrop, he makes the music of nature; in a word, he organized us for this life, and imposed its conditions; and they are such guaranty to me that, trustful as a little child, I leave to him the organization of my Soul, and every arrangement for the life after death. I know he loves me.

To begin a reform, go not into the places of the great and rich; go rather to those whose cups of happiness are empty--to the poor and humble.