I have been a hundred times on the point of killing myself, but still was fond of life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our worst instincts. What can be more absurd than choosing to carry a burden that one really wants to throw to the ground? To detest, and yet to strive to preserve our existence? To caress the serpent that devours us, and hug him close to our bosoms till he has gnawed into our hearts?

Translations increase the faults of a work and spoil its beauties.

What! Have you no monks to teach, to dispute, to govern, to intrigue and to burn people who do not agree with them?

In every author let us distinguish the man from his works.

We cannot always oblige; but we can always speak obligingly.

The best way to be boring is to include everything.

History is only the register of crimes and misfortunes.