History is the lie commonly agreed upon.

If one does not reflect, one thinks oneself master of everything; but when one does reflect, one realizes that one is master of nothing.

This is no time to be making new enemies.

Before receiving your instruction, I must tell you what happened to me one day. I had just had a closet built at the end of my garden. I heard a mole arguing with a cockchafer; 'Here's a fine structure,' said the mole, 'it must have been a very powerful mole who did this work.' 'You're joking,' said the cockchafer; 'it's a cockchafer full of genius who is the architect of this building.' From that moment I resolved never to argue.

Where some states possess an army, the Prussian Army possesses a state.

I read these words which are the sum of all moral philosophy, and which cut short all the disputes of the casuists: When in doubt if an action is good or bad, refrain.

A physician is an unfortunate gentleman who is every day required to perform a miracle; namely to reconcile health with intemperance.