The heart becomes heroic through passion. It is no longer composed of anything but what is pure; it no longer rests upon anything but what is elevated and great.

Have no fear of robbers or murderers. They are external dangers, petty dangers. We should fear ourselves. Prejudices are the real robbers; vices the real murderers. The great dangers are within us. Why worry about what threatens our heads or our purses? Let us think instead of what threatens our souls.

Toleration is the best religion.

So long as ignorance and poverty exist on earth, books of the nature of Les Miserables cannot fail to be of use.

These are true felicities. No joy beyond these joys. Love is the only ecstasy, everything else weeps

To meditate is to labour; to think is to act. Folded arms work, closed hands perform, a gaze fixed on heaven is a toil.

Fame must have enemies, as light must have gnats.