There is nothing which so poisons princes as flattery, nor anything whereby wicked men more easily obtain credit and favor with them.

For there is no air that men so greedily draw in, that diffuses itself so soon, and that penetrates so deep as that of license.

I love a friendship that flatters itself in the sharpness and vigor of its communications.

Now, since our condition accommodates things to itself, and transforms them according to itself, we no longer know things in their reality; for nothing comes to us that is not altered and falsified by our Senses. When the compass, the square, and the rule are untrue, all the calculations drawn from them, all the buildings erected by their measure, are of necessity also defective and out of plumb. The uncertainty of our senses renders uncertain everything that they produce.

One should always have one's boots on and be ready to leave.

There are few men who dare to publish to the world the prayers they make to Almighty God.

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.