Humanity is our common lot. All men are made of the same clay. There is no difference, at least here on Earth, in the fate assigned to us. We come of the same void, inhabit the same flesh, are dissolved in the same ashes. But ignorance infecting the human substance turns it black, and that incurable blackness, gaining possession of the soul, becomes Evil.

That men saw his mask, but the bishop saw his face. That men saw his life, but the bishop saw his conscience.

Solitude either develops the mental power, or renders men dull and vicious.

To die is nothing; but it is terrible not to live.

Diamonds are to be found only in the darkness of the earth, and truth in the darkness of the mind.

I have examined the death penalty under each of its two aspects: as a direct action, and as an indirect one. What does it come down to? Nothing but something horrible and useless, nothing but a way of shedding blood that is called a crime when an individual commits it, but is sadly called "justice" when society brings it about. Make no mistake, you lawmakers and judges, in the eyes of God as in those of conscience, what is a crime when individuals do it is no less an offense when society commits the deed.

Wisdom and eloquence are not always united.