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

Our character is composed of our ideas and our feelings: and, since it has been proved that we give ourselves neither feelings nor ideas, our character does not depend on us. If it did depend on us, there is nobody who would not be perfect. If one does not reflect, one thinks oneself master of everything; but when one does reflect, one realizes that one is master of nothing

If God did not exist, he would have to be invented.

The necessity of saying something, the embarrassment produced by the consciousness of having nothing to say, and the desire to exhibit ability, are three things sufficient to render even a great man ridiculous.

The secret of being a bore... is to tell everything.

To announce truths is an infallible receipt for being persecuted.

Come! you presence will either give me life or kill me with pleasure.