One great use of words is to hide our thoughts.

We all look for happiness, but without knowing where to find it: like drunkards who look for their house, knowing dimly that they have one.

The passions are the winds which fill the sails of the vessel; they sink it at times, but without them it would be impossible to make way.

It is proved...that things cannot be other than they are, for since everything was made for a purpose, it follows that everything is made for the best purpose.

Every sensible man, every honorable man, must hold the Christian sect in horror." "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world." "Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense." "If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities.

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.

True power and true politeness are above vanity.