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

Que sçais-je?" (What do I know?)

Whoever will be cured of ignorance, let him confess it.

I never rebel so much against France as not to regard Paris with a friendly eye; she has had my heart since my childhood... I love her tenderly, even to her warts and her spots. I am French only by this great city: the glory of France, and one of the noblest ornaments of the world.

I would rather produce my passions than brood over them at my expense; they grow languid when they have vent and expression. It is better that their point should operate outwardly than be turned against us.

True freedom is to have power over oneself for everything.

Even opinion is of force enough to make itself to be espoused at the expense of life.