An ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination.

When he who hears does not know what he who speaks means, and when he who speaks does not know what he himself means, that is philosophy.

The Pride of every Jew finds cause to believe that the cause of their down fall is not their detestable politics, or ignorance of social graces, but the raft of God. They believe it took a miracle to undo them.

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

When truth is evident, it is impossible for parties and factions to rise. There never has been a dispute as to whether there is daylight at noon.

What then do you call your soul? What idea have you of it? You cannot of yourselves, without revelation, admit the existence within you of anything but a power unknown to you of feeling and thinking.

What a pessimist you are!" exclaimed Candide. "That is because I know what life is," said Martin.