Natural inclinations are assisted and reinforced by education, but they are hardly ever altered or overcome.

Now there cannot be first principles for men, unless the Divinity has revealed them; all the rest--beginning, middle, and end--isnothing but dreams and smoke.

Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself.

The vulgar and common esteem is seldom happy in hitting right; and I am much mistaken if, amongst the writings of my time, the worst are not those which have most gained the popular applause.

I aim here only at revealing myself, who will perhaps be different tomorrow, if I learn something new which changes me.

There are truths on this side of the Pyrenees which are falsehoods on the other

When I express my opinions it is so as to reveal the measure of my sight not the measure of the thing.