All permanent decisions are made in a temporary state of mind.

Pleasure itself is painful at the bottom.

We can be knowledgeable with other men's knowledge, but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.

What kind of truth is it which has these mountains as its boundary and is a lie beyond them?

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.

Tis faith alone that vividly and certainly comprehends the deep mysteries of our religion.

To divert myself from a troublesome fancy, it is but to run to my books; they presently fix me to them, and drive the other out of my thoughts, and do not mutiny to see that I have only recourse to them for want of other more, real, natural, and lively conveniences; they always receive me with the same kindness.