They are, all of them, born with raging fanaticism in their hearts, just as the Bretons and the Germans are born with blond hair. I would not be in the least bit surprised if these people would not some day become deadly to the human race.
Man is his own worst enemy.
Let our friends perish, provided that our enemies fall at the same time.
Nature has inclined us to love men.
The science of love is the philosophy of the heart.
It is a shameful thing to be weary of inquiry when what we search for is excellent.
That is probable which for the most part usually comes to pass, or which is a part of the ordinary beliefs of mankind.
In men of the highest character and noblest genius there is to be found an insatiable desire for honor, command, power, and glory.
We should measure affection, not like youngsters by the ardor of its passion, but by its strength and constancy.
Probability is the very guide of life.
It is the act of a bad man to deceive by falsehood.
If only every man would make proper use of his strength and do his utmost, he need never regret his limited ability.
If a man could mount to Heaven and survey the mighty universe, his admiration of its beauties would be much diminished unless he had someone to share in his pleasure.
Socrates was the first to call philosophy down from the heavens and to place it in cities, and even to introduce it into homes and compel it to inquire about life and standards and goods and evils.
We cannot employ the mind to advantage when we are filled with excessive food and drink.
Books are the food of youth, the delight of old age; the ornament of prosperity, the refuge and comfort of adversity; a delight at home, and no hindrance abroad; companions by night, in traveling, in the country.
Guilt is present in the very hesitation, even though the deed be not committed.
No sober person dances.
All action is of the mind and the mirror of the mind is the face, its index the eyes.
It is a true saying that ‘one falsehood easily leads to another.’