The most ordinary things, the most common and familiar, if we could see them in their true light, would turn out to be the grandest miracles.

No one should be subjected to force over things which belonged to him.

Tis well for old age that it is always accompanied with want of perception, ignorance, and a facility of being deceived. For should we see how we are used and would not acquiesce, what would become of us?

Obstinacy and dogmatism are the surest signs of stupidity. Is there anything more confident, resolute, disdainful, grave and serious than an ass?

Why do people respect the package rather than the man?

The shortest way to arrive at glory should be to do that for conscience which we do for glory. And the virtue of Alexander appears to me with much less vigor in his theater than that of Socrates in his mean and obscure. I can easily conceive Socrates in the place of Alexander, but Alexander in that of Socrates I cannot.

When all is summed up, a man never speaks of himself without loss; his accusations of himself are always believed; his praises never.