The role of the intelligence - that part of us which affirms and denies and formulates opinions is merely to submit.

The world is the closed door. It is a barrier. And at the same time it is the way through.

One can never really give a proof of the reality of anything; reality is not something open to proof, it is something established. It is established just because proof is not enough. It is this characteristic of language, at once indispensable and inadequate, which shows the reality of the external world. Most people hardly ever realize this, because it is rare that the very same man thinks and puts his thought into action.

Our patriotism comes straight from the Romans. This is why French children are encouraged to seek inspiration for it in Corneille. It is a pagan virtue, if these two words are compatible. The word pagan, when applied to Rome, early possesses the significance charged with horror which the early Christian controversialists gave it. The Romans really were an atheistic and idolatrous people; not idolatrous with regard to images made of stone or bronze, but idolatrous with regard to themselves. It is this idolatry of self which they have bequeathed to us in the form of patriotism.

Modern life is given over to immoderation. Immoderation invades everything: actions and thought, public and private life.

On reaching a certain degree of pain we lose the world.

The love of our neighbor in all its fullness simply means being able to say, "What are you going through?