Do not expect to be acknowledged for what you are, much less for what you would be; since no one can well measure a great man but upon the bier.

He who brings ridicule to bear against truth finds in his hand a blade without a hilt.

I never did a single wise thing in the whole course of my existence, although I have written many which have been thought so.

There is nothing on earth divine except humanity.

Great men lose somewhat of their greatness by being near us; ordinary men gain much.

Religion is the eldest sister of philosophy: on whatever subjects they may differ, it is unbecoming in either to quarrel, and most so about their inheritance.

A smile is ever the most bright and beautiful with a tear upon it. What is the dawn without the dew? The tear is rendered by the smile precious above the smile itself.