The religion of my doctor or my lawyer cannot matter. That consideration has nothing in common with the functions of the friendship they owe me.

Is it reasonable that even the arts should take advantage of and profit by our natural stupidity and feebleness of mind?

There is more ado to interpret interpretations than to interpret things, and more books upon books than upon any other subject; we do nothing but comment upon one another. Every place swarms with commentaries; of authors there is great scarcity.

'Tis the sharpness of our mind that gives the edge to our pains and pleasures.

I agree that we should work and prolong the functions of life as far as we can, and hope that Death may find me planting my cabbages, but indifferent to him and still more to the unfinished state of my garden.

When I play with my cat, who knows whether she is not amusing herself with me more than I with her.

Men are tormented by the opinions they have of things, and not the things themselves.