Indeed, history is nothing more than a tableau of crimes and misfortunes.

One should always aim at being interesting, rather than exact.

It is impossible to translate poetry. Can you translate music?

A circumstance which has always appeared wonderful to me, is that such sublime discoveries should have been made by the sole assistance of a quadrant and a little arithmetic.

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

Religion may be purified. This great work was begun two hundred years ago: but men can only bear light to come in upon them by degrees.

Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense.