What would constitute useful history? That which should teach us our duties and our rights, without appearing to teach them.

The necessity of saying something, the embarrassment produced by the consciousness of having nothing to say, and the desire to exhibit ability, are three things sufficient to render even a great man ridiculous.

History is the lie commonly agreed upon.

Which is more dangerous: fanaticism or atheism? Fanaticism is certainly a thousand times more deadly; for atheism inspires no bloody passion whereas fanaticism does; atheism is opposed to crime and fanaticism causes crimes to be committed.

Pleasure has its time; so too, has wisdom. Make love in thy youth, and in old age attend to thy salvation.

In France every man is either an anvil or a hammer; he is a beater or must be beaten.

What then do you call your soul? What idea have you of it? You cannot of yourselves, without revelation, admit the existence within you of anything but a power unknown to you of feeling and thinking.