I would rather produce my passions than brood over them at my expense; they grow languid when they have vent and expression. It is better that their point should operate outwardly than be turned against us.

A man must live in the world and make the best of it, such as it is.

... whoever believes anything esteems that it is a work of charity to persuade another of it.

One open way of speaking introduces another open way of speaking, and draws out discoveries, like wine and love.

One must be a little foolish if one does not want to be even more stupid.

I do not believe, from what I have been told about this people, that there is anything barbarous or savage about them, except that we all call barbarous anything that is contrary to our own habits.

The world always looks straights ahead; as for me, I turn my gaze inward, I fix it there and keep it busy. Everyone looks in front of him: as for me, I look inside me: I have no business but with myself; I continually observe myself, I take stock of myself, I taste myself. Others...they always go forward; as for me, I roll about in myself.