He who is involved in ecstasies and visions, who takes dreams for reality, and his own imagination for prophesy, is a fanatical novice of great hope and promise, and will soon advance to the higher stage and kill men for the love of God.

If this is the best of possible worlds, what then are the others?

Whoever serves his country well has no need of ancestors.

The more estimable the offender, the greater the torment.

I keep to old books, for they teach me something; from the new I learn very little

The superfluous is very necessary.

Men are equal; it is not birth but virtue that makes the difference.