Life is long enough for him who knows how to use it. Working and thinking extend its limits.

It takes twenty years to bring man from the state of embryo, and from that of a mere animal, as he is in his first infancy, to the point when his reason begins to dawn. It has taken thirty centuries to know his structure; it would take eternity to know something of his soul: it takes but an instant to kill him.

None have lived without shedding tears.

"Well! sage Evhemere, what have you seen in all your travels?" "Follies!"

This world is but a lottery of goods, of ranks, of dignities, of rights.

The reasonable worship of a just God who punishes and rewards, would undoubtedly contribute to the happiness of men; but when that salutary knowledge of a just God is disfigured by absurd lies and dangerous superstitions, then the remedy turns to poison.

In those countries where the morals are the most dissolute, the language is the most severe; as if they would replace on the lips what has deserted the heart.

With the world, do not resort to injuries, but only to irony and gayety: injury revolts, while irony makes one reflect, and gayety disarms.

All the reasoning of man is not worth one sentiment of woman.

History is only a record of crimes and misfortunes.