It is the essence of truth that it is never excessive. Why should it exaggerate? There is that which should be destroyed and that which should be simply illuminated and studied. How great is the force of benevolent and searching examination! We must not resort to the flame where only light is required.

Genuflection before the idol or the dollar destroys the muscles which walk and the will that moves.

In the domain of art there is no light without heat.

Women are more credulous than men.

There are many tongues to talk, and but few heads to think.

To rove about, musing, that is to say loitering, is, for a philosopher, a good way of spending time, especially in that kind of mock rurality, ugly but odd, and partaking of two natures, which surrounds certain large cities, particularly Paris.

To rise from error to truth is rare and beautiful.