I never approved either the errors of his book, or the trivial truths he so vigorously laid down. I have, however, stoutly taken his side when absurd men have condemned him for these same truths.

Happiness is not the portion of man.

He who is involved in ecstasies and visions, who takes dreams for reality, and his own imagination for prophesy, is a fanatical novice of great hope and promise, and will soon advance to the higher stage and kill men for the love of God.

Individual misfortunes give rise to the general good; so that the more individual misfortunes exist, the more all is fine.

The prudent man does himself good; the virtuous one does it to other men.

God created women only to tame men.

Superstition sets the whole world in flames, but philosophy douses them.