In analysing history do not be too profound, for often the causes are quite superficial.

There are twenty ways of going to a point, and one is the shortest; but set out at once on one. A man who has that presence of mind which can bring to him on the instant all he knows, is worth for action a dozen men who know as much, but can only bring it to light slowly.

The wise know that foolish legislation is a rope of sand, which perishes in the twisting.

The most attractive class of people are those who are powerful obliquely, and not by the direct stroke: men of genius, but not yetaccredited: one gets the cheer of their light, without paying too great a tax.

Whenever a true theory appears, it will be its own evidence. Its test is, that it will explain all phenomena.

Give the slave the least elevation of religious sentiment, and he is not slave: you are the slave: he not only in his humility feels his superiority, feels that much deplored condition of his to be a fading trifle, but he makes you feel it too. He is the master.

Truth is too simple for us: we do not like those who unmask our illusions.