During a wise man's whole life, his destiny holds his philosophy in a state of siege.

Great griefs exhaust. They discourage us with life. The man into whom they enter feels something taken from him. In youth, their visit is sad; later on, it is ominous.

My revenge is fraternity! No more frontiers! The Rhine for everyone! Let us be the same Republic, let us be the United States of Europe, let us be the continental federation, let us be European liberty, let us be universal peace!

To put everything in balance is good, to put everything in harmony is better.

Nature is pitiless; she never withdraws her flowers, her music, her fragrance, and her sunlight from before human cruelty or suffering.

There is always more misery among the lower classes than there is humanity in the higher.

I'd rather be hissed at for a good verse, than applauded for a bad one.