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

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.

There are two things for which animals are to be envied: they know nothing of future evils, or of what people say about them.

There is an astonishing imagination, even in the science of mathematics. ... We repeat, there was far more imagination in the head of Archimedes than in that of Homer.

Verses which do not teach men new and moving truths do not deserve to be read.

A good action is preferable to an argument.

The Bible. That is what fools have written, what imbeciles commend, what rogues teach and young children are made to learn by heart.