A man must keep a little back shop where he can be himself without reserve. In solitude alone can he know true freedom.

It is in vain that we get upon stilts, for once on them, it is still with our legs that we must walk. And on the highest throne in the world we are still sitting on our own ass.

Meditation is a rich and powerful method of study for anyone who knows how to examine his mind.

It would be better to have no laws at all, than to have too many.

I, who am king of the matter I treat, and who owe an accounting for it to no one, do not for all that believe myself in all I write. I often hazard sallies of my mind which I mistrust.

Friendship is a creature formed for a companionship not for a herd.

He that I am reading seems always to have the most force.