I turn my gaze inward. I fix it there and keep it busy. I look inside myself. I continually observe myself.

There is no doubt that Greek and Latin are great and handsome ornaments, but we buy them too dear.

The honor we receive from those that fear us, is not honor; those respects are paid to royalty and not to me.

Lying is a disgraceful vice, and one that Plutarch paints in most disgraceful colors, when he says that it is "affording testimony that one first despises God, and then fears men." It is not possible more happily to describe its horrible, disgusting, and abandoned nature; for can we imagine anything more vile than to be cowards with regard to men, and brave with regard to God.

Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul.

The lack of wealth is easily repaired but the poverty of the soul is irreplaceable.

If a man should importune me to give a reason why I loved him, I find it could no otherwise be expressed, than by making answer: because it was he, because it was I.