History should be written as philosophy.

If there had been a censorship of the press in Rome we should have had today neither Horace nor Juvenal, nor the philosophical writings of Cicero.

History is the recital of facts represented as true. Fable, on the other hand, is the recital of facts represented as fiction.

The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.

I have been a hundred times on the point of killing myself, but still was fond of life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our worst instincts. What can be more absurd than choosing to carry a burden that one really wants to throw to the ground? To detest, and yet to strive to preserve our existence? To caress the serpent that devours us, and hug him close to our bosoms till he has gnawed into our hearts?

Let each of us boldly and honestly say: How little it is that I really know!

The man who leaves money to charity in his will is only giving away what no longer belongs to him