Diamonds are found only in the dark places of the earth, truths are found only in the depths of thought.

Poetry contains philosophy as the soul contains reason.

Man's greatest actions are performed in minor struggles. Life, misfortune, isolation, abandonment and poverty are battlefields which have their heroes - obscure heroes who are at times greater than illustrious heroes.

...there is a point when the unfortunate and the infamous are associated and confused in a word, a mortal word, les miserables

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.

Indigestion is charged by God with enforcing morality on the stomach.

A republic may be called the climate of civilization.