The first proof of charity in a priest, and especially a bishop, is poverty.

The greatest blunders, like the thickest ropes, are often compounded of a multitude of strands. Take the rope apart, separate it into the small threads that compose it, and you can break them one by one. You think, That is all there was! But twist them all together and you have something tremendous.

From a political point of view, there is but one principle, the sovereignty of man over himself. This sovereignty of myself over myself is called Liberty

All the human and animal manure which the world wastes, if returned to the land, instead of being thrown into the sea, would suffice to nourish the world.

The thirst for the Infinite proves infinity.

God has made the cat to give man the pleasure of caressing the tiger.

Monsieur' to a convict is a glass of water to a man dying of thirst at sea; ignominy thirsts for respect.