Is it not a noble farce, wherein kings, republics, and emperors have for so many ages played their parts, and to which the whole vast universe serves for a theatre?

Arts and sciences are not cast in a mould, but are found and perfected by degrees, by often handling and polishing.

He who does not live in some degree for others, hardly lives for himself.

There are few things on which we can pass a sincere judgement, because there are few things in which we have not, in one way or another, a particular interest.

Who is only good that others may know it, and that he may be the better esteemed when 'tis known, who will do well but upon condition that his virtue may be known to men, is one from whom much service is not to be expected.

Socrates thought and so do I that the wisest theory about the gods is no theory at all.

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