Friendship that possesses the whole soul, and there rules and sways with an absolute sovereignty, can admit of no rival.

The finest souls are those that have the most variety and suppleness.

There is no desire more natural than the desire of knowledge. (Il n'est desir plus naturel que le desir de connaissance)

The bitterness of the potion, and the abhorrence of the patient are necessary circumstances to the operation. It must be something to trouble and disturb the stomach that must purge and cure it.

The strangest, most generous, and proudest of all virtues is true courage.

Not because Socrates said so, but because it is in truth my own disposition — and perchance to some excess — I look upon all men as my compatriots, and embrace a Pole as a Frenchman, making less account of the national than of the universal and common bond.

The vulgar and common esteem is seldom happy in hitting right; and I am much mistaken if, amongst the writings of my time, the worst are not those which have most gained the popular applause.