Earth is an insane asylum, to which the other planets deport their lunatics.

The little may contrast with the great, in painting, but cannot be said to be contrary to it. Oppositions of colors contrast; but there are also colors contrary to each other, that is, which produce an ill effect because they shock the eye when brought very near it.

When he who hears does not know what he who speaks means, and when he who speaks does not know what he himself means, that is philosophy.

Present opportunities are not to be neglected; they rarely visit us twice.

The only reward to be expected from literature is contempt if one fails and hatred if one succeeds.

Je ne suis pas d'accord avec ce que vous dites, mais je d‚fendrai jusqu'... la mort le droit que vous avez de le dire/ I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it

History is filled with the sound of silken slippers going downstairs and wooden shoes coming up.