I am ashamed to see what a shallow village tale our so-called history is.

Every experiment, by multitudes or by individuals, that has a sensual and selfish aim, will fail.

As we are, so we do; and as we do, so is it done to us; we are the builders of our fortunes.

I am present at the sowing of the seed of the world. With a geometry of sunbeams, the soul lays the foundations of nature.

Men wish to be saved from the mischiefs of their vices, but not from their vices.

The things we now esteem fixed shall, one by one, detach themselves, like ripe fruit, from our experience, and fall. The wind shall blow them none knows whither.

The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.