The system of Descartes... seemed to give a plausible reason for all those phenomena; and this reason seemed more just, as it is simple and intelligible to all capacities. But in philosophy, a student ought to doubt of the things he fancies he understands too easily, as much as of those he does not understand.

It is said that the present is pregnant with the future.

What most persons consider as virtue, after the age of 40 is simply a loss of energy.

Nothing is so common as to imitate one's enemies, and to use their weapons.

Virtuous men alone possess friends.

Marriage is the only adventure open to the cowardly.

The multiplicity of facts and writings is become so great that every thing must soon be reduced to extracts and dictionaries.