All the known world, excepting only savage nations, is governed by books.
This self-love is the instrument of our preservation; it resembles the provision for the perpetuity of mankind: it is necessary, it is dear to us, it gives us pleasure, and we must conceal it.
This poem will never reach its destination. On Rousseau's Ode To Posterity
An admiral should be put to death now and then to encourage the others.
The husband who decides to surprise his wife is often very much surprised himself.
The passions are the winds which fill the sails of the vessel; they sink it at times, but without them it would be impossible to make way.