The sovereign is called a tyrant who knows no laws but his caprice.

What is toleration? It is the prerogative of humanity. We are all steeped in weaknesses and errors: Let us forgive one another's follies, it is the first law of nature.

If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities.

Our priests are not what a silly populace supposes; all their learning consists in our credulity.

Men, generally going with the stream, seldom judge for themselves, and purity of taste is almost as rare as talent.

Quand celui à qui l'on parle ne comprend pas et celui qui parle ne se comprend pas, c'est de la métaphysique When he to whom a person speaks does not understand, and he who speaks does not understand himself, that is metaphysics.

The darkness is at its deepest. Just before the sunrise.