It is hardly to be believed how spiritual reflections when mixed with a little physics can hold people's attention and give them a livelier idea of God than do the often ill-applied examples of his wrath.

The great rule: If the little bit you have is nothing special in itself, at least find a way of saying it that is a little bit special.

To grow wiser means to learn to know better and better the faults to which this instrument with which we feel and judge can be subject.

Once we know our weaknesses they cease to do us any harm.

People who never have any time on their hands are those who do the least.

He was then in his fifty-fourth year, when even in the case of poets reason and passion begin to discuss a peace treaty and usually conclude it not very long afterwards.

One is rarely an impulsive innovator after the age of sixty, but one can still be a very fine orderly and inventive thinker. One rarely procreates children at that age, but one is all the more skilled at educating those who have already been procreated, and education is procreation of another kind.

Prejudices are so to speak the mechanical instincts of men: through their prejudices they do without any effort many things they would find too difficult to think through to the point of resolving to do them.

A man is never more serious than when he praise himself.

Man can acquire accomplishments or he can become an animal, whichever he wants. God makes the animals, man makes himself.