Pleasure itself is painful at the bottom.

It is fear that I stand most in fear of, in sharpness it exceeds every other feeling.

The perpetual work of your life is but to lay the foundation of death.

That is why Bias jested with those who were going through the perils of a great storm with him and calling on the gods for help: "Shut up," he said, "so that they do not realize that you are here with me.

In my youth I studied for ostentation; later, a little to gain wisdom; now, for recreation; never for gain.

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

I write to keep from going mad from the contradictions I find among mankind - and to work some of those contradictions out for myself.