The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us

Religion may be purified. This great work was begun two hundred years ago: but men can only bear light to come in upon them by degrees.

The supposed right of intolerance is absurd and barbaric. It is the right of the tiger; nay, it is far worse, for tigers do but tear in order to have food, while we rend each other for paragraphs.

Life is bristling with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to cultivate one's garden.

Adultery is an evil only inasmuch as it is a theft; but we do not steal that which is given to us.

Reading nurtures the soul, and an enlightened friend brings it solace.

We offer up prayers to god only because we have made him after our own image. We treat him like a pasha, or a sultan, who is capable of being exasperated and appeased.