Some species increase, others diminish, and in a short space the generations of living creatures are changed and, like runners, pass on the torch of life.

If men saw that a term was set to their troubles, they would find strength in some way to withstand the hocus-pocus and intimidations of the prophets.

Such are the heights of wickedness to which men are driven by religion.

In the midst of the fountain of wit there arises something bitter, which stings in the very flowers.

The drops of rain make a hole in the stone not by violence but by oft falling.

Even if I knew nothing of the atoms, I would venture to assert on the evidence of the celestial phenomena themselves, supported by many other arguments, that the universe was certainly not created for us by divine power: it is so full of imperfections.

When the supreme violence of a furious wind upon the sea sweeps over the waters the chief admiral of a fleet along with his mighty legions, does he not crave the gods' peace with vows and in his panic seek with prayers the peace of the winds and favouring breezes. Nonetheless, he is caught up in the furious hurricane and driven upon the shoals of death.