Woe to the makers of literal translations, who by rendering every word weaken the meaning! It is indeed by so doing that we can say the letter kills and the spirit gives life.

If there’s life on other planets, then the earth is the Universe’s insane asylum.

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

The best government is a benevolent tyranny tempered by an occasional assassination.

The man visited by ecstasies and visions, who takes dreams for realities is an enthusiast; the man who supports his madness with murder is a fanatic.

The only way to compel men to speak good of us is to do it.

Truth is a fruit which should not be plucked until it is ripe.