Originality is nothing but judicious imitation. The most original writers borrowed one from another.

I acknowledge that four thousand volumes of metaphysics will not teach us what our soul is.

Man is not born wicked; he becomes so, as he becomes sick.

The more estimable the offender, the greater the torment.

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.

Observe that noses were made to wear spectacles; and so we have spectacles. Legs were visibly instituted to be breeched, and we have breeches. Stones were formed to be quarried and to build castles; and My Lord has a very noble castle; the greatest Baron in the province should have the best house; and as pigs were made to be eaten, we eat pork all year round; consequently, those who have asserted all is well talk nonsense; they ought to have said that all is for the best.

He who seeks truth should be of no country.