Every new development for the last three centuries has brought men closer to a state of affairs in which absolutely nothing would be recognized in the whole world as possessing a claim to obedience except the authority of the State. The majority of people in Europe obey nothing else.

The villagers seldom leave the village; many scientists have limited and poorly cultivated minds apart from their specialty.

Contradiction itself, far from always being a criterion of error, is sometimes a sign of truth.

Necessity is God's veil.

When literature becomes deliberately indifferent to the opposition of good and evil it betrays its function and forfeits all claim to excellence.

How many people have been thus led, through lack of self-confidence, to stifle their most justified doubts?

Oppression that is clearly inexorable and invincible does not give rise to revolt but to submission.