It is a disaster that wisdom forbids you to be satisfied with yourself and always sends you away dissatisfied and fearful, whereas stubbornness and foolhardiness fill their hosts with joy and assurance.
I listen with attention to the judgment of all men; but so far as I can remember, I have followed none but my own.
Stupidity and wisdom meet in the same centre of sentiment and resolution, in the suffering of human accidents.
There is indeed a certain sense of gratification when we do a good deed that gives us inward satisfaction, and a generous pride that accompanies a good conscienceβ¦These testimonies of a good conscience are pleasant; and such a natural pleasure is very beneficial to us; it is the only payment that can never fail. βOn Repentance
All is a-swarm with commentaries: of authors there is a dearth.
[Marriage] happens as with cages: the birds without despair to get in, and those within despair of getting out.
The advantage of living is not measured by length, but by use; some men have lived long, and lived little; attend to it while you are in it. It lies in your will, not in the number of years, for you to have lived enough.
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.
Judgement can do without knowledge: but not knowledge without judgement.
We must not attach knowledge to the mind, we have to incorporate it there.
Every other knowledge is harmful to him who does not have knowledge of goodness.
I enjoy books as misers enjoy treasures, because I know I can enjoy them whenever I please.
If you don't know how to die, don't worry; Nature will tell you what to do on the spot, fully and adequately. She will do this job perfectly for you; don't bother your head about it.
Few men have been admired of their familiars.
Make your educational laws strict and your criminal ones can be gentle; but if you leave youth its liberty you will have to dig dungeons for ages.
It is not death, it is dying that alarms me.
Covetousness is both the beginning and the end of the devil's alphabet - the first vice in corrupt nature that moves, and the last which dies.
When I play with my cat, who knows whether she is not amusing herself with me more than I with her.
If a man urge me to tell wherefore I loved him, I feel it cannot be expressed but by answering: Because it was he, because it was myself.
Stubborn and ardent clinging to one's opinion is the best proof of stupidity.