If I am to serve as an instrument of deceit, at least let it be with a clear conscience. I do not want to be considered either so affectionate or so loyal a servant as to be found fit to betray anyone.

Ambition is, of all other, the most contrary humor to solitude; and glory and repose are so inconsistent that they cannot possibly inhabit one and the same place; and for so much as I understand, those have only their arms and legs disengaged from the crowd, their mind and intention remain engaged behind more than ever.

I study myself more than any other subject. That is my metaphysics, that is my physics.

If by being overstudious, we impair our health and spoil our good humor, let us give it up.

Glory consists of two parts: the one in setting too great a value upon ourselves, and the other in setting too little a value upon others.

In his commerce with men I mean him to include- and that principally- those who live only in the memory of books. By means of history he will frequent those great souls of former years. If you want it to be so, history can be a waste of time; it can also be, if you want it to be so, a study bearing fruit beyond price.

I look upon the too good opinion that man has of himself, as the nursing mother of all false opinions, both public and private.