The most certain sign of wisdom is a continual cheerfulness; her state is like that of things in the regions above the moon, always clear and serene.

The strength of any plan depends on the time. Circumstances and things eternally shift and change.

We trouble our life by thoughts about death, and our death by thoughts about life.

If these Essays were worthy of being judged, it might fall out, in my opinion, that they would not find much favour, either with common and vulgar minds, or with uncommon and eminent ones: the former would not find enough in them, the latter would find too much; they might manage to live somewhere in the middle region.

Whoever will imagine a perpetual confession of ignorance, a judgment without leaning or inclination, on any occasion whatever, hasa conception of Pyrrhonism.

A little of everything and nothing thoroughly, after the French fashion.

No-one is exempt from speaking nonsense – the only misfortune is to do it solemnly.