What enriches language is its being handled and exploited by beautiful minds-not so much by making innovations as by expanding it through more vigorous and varied applications, by extending it and deploying it. It is not words that they contribute: what they do is enrich their words, deepen their meanings and tie down their usage; they teach it unaccustomed rhythms, prudently though and with ingenuity.

A man should not so much respect what he eats, as with whom he eats.

To philosophize is nothing else than to prepare oneself for death.

The plague of man is the opinion of knowledge. That is why ignorance is so recommended by our religion as a quality suitable to belief and obedience.

Only the fools are certain and assured.

Some, either from being glued to vice by a natural attachment, or from long habit, no longer recognize its ugliness.

The secret counsels of princes are a troublesome burden to such as have only to execute them.