It is a stupid presumption to go about despising and condemning as false anything that seems to us improbable; this is a common fault in those who think they have more intelligence than the crowd.

Most pleasures embrace us but to strangle.

The souls of emperors and cobblers are cast in the same mould

Thus we should beware of clinging to vulgar opinions, and judge things by reason's way, not by popular say.

Nature has, herself, I fear, imprinted in man a kind of instinct to inhumanity.

We should spread joy, but, as far as we can, repress sorrow.

If my mind could gain a firm footing, I would not make essays, I would make decisions; but it is always in apprenticeship and on trial.