So it is the human condition that to wish for the greatness of one's fatherland is to wish evil to one's neighbors. The citizen of the universe would be the man who wishes his country never to be either greater or smaller, richer or poorer.

He who has not the spirit of this age, has all the misery of it.

Perfection is attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time.

When he who hears does not know what he who speaks means, and when he who speaks does not know what he himself means, that is philosophy.

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?

Philosopher: A lover of wisdom, which is to say, Truth.

If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him.