I hold firmly to my original views. After all I am a philosopher.
The fate of a nation has often depended on the good or bad digestion of a prime minister.
Every man is a creature of the age in which he lives and few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of the time.
Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.
To succeed in the world it is not enough to be stupid - one must also be polite.
God is a circle whose center is everywhere and circumference nowhere.
One merit of poetry few persons will deny: it says more and in fewer words than prose.
Men hate the individual whom they call avaricious only because nothing can be gained from him.
He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend provided, of course, he really is dead.
God prefers bad verses recited with a pure heart to the finest verses chanted by the wicked.
The most beautiful of all emblems is that of God whom Timaeus of Locris describes under the image of "A circle whose centre is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere."
My prayer to God is a very short one "Oh Lord make my enemies ridiculous!" God has granted it.
The man who, in a fit of melancholy, kills himself today, would have wished to live had he waited a week.
The flowery style is not unsuitable to public speeches or addresses, which amount only to compliment. The lighter beauties are in their place when there is nothing more solid to say but the flowery st...
Very learned women are to be found, in the same manner as female warriors but they are seldom or ever inventors.
Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense.
Anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices.
In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.
Come! you presence will either give me life or kill me with pleasure.
Such is the feebleness of humanity, such is its perversity, that doubtless it is better for it to be subject to all possible superstitions, as long as they are not murderous, than to live without reli...