We are never present with, but always beyond ourselves; fear, desire, hope, still push us on toward the future.

We find ourselves more taken with the running up and down, the games, and puerile simplicities of our children, than we do, afterward, with their most complete actions; as if we had loved them for our sport, like monkeys, and not as men.

If by being overstudious, we impair our health and spoil our good humor, let us give it up.

All opinions in the world agree in this, that pleasure is our end, although they differ as to the means of attaining it.

Not being able to govern events, I govern myself.

If I speak of myself in different ways, that is because I look at myself in different ways.

The corruption of the age is made up by the particular contribution of every individual man; some contribute treachery, others injustice, atheism, tyranny, avarice, cruelty, according to their power.