The most regular and most perfect soul in the world has but too much to do to keep itself upright from being overthrown by its own weakness.

Lying is a terrible vice, it testifies that one despises God, but fears men.

We should be similarly wary of accepting common opinions; we should judge them by the ways of reason not by popular vote.

Painting myself for others, I have painted my inward self with colors clearer than my original ones. I have no more made my book than my book has made me--a book consubstantial with its author, concerned with my own self, an integral part of my life; not concerned with some third-hand, extraneous purpose, like all other books.

Authors communicate with the people by some special extrinsic mark; I am the first to do so by my entire being, as Michel de Montaigne.

When I express my opinions it is so as to reveal the measure of my sight not the measure of the thing.

As great enmities spring from great friendships, and mortal distempers from vigorous health, so do the most surprising and the wildest frenzies from the high and lively agitations of our souls.