Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.
He shines in the second rank, who is eclipsed in the first.
The Holy Roman Empire is neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire.
The true triumph of reason is that it enables us to get along with those who do not possess it.
The safest course is to do nothing against one's conscience. With this secret, we can enjoy life and have no fear from death.
We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies - it is the first law of nature.
Satire lies about literary men while they live and eulogy lies about them when they die.
The world embarrasses me, and I cannot dream that this watch exists and has no watchmaker.
Ice-cream is exquisite - what a pity it isn't illegal.
Very learned women are to be found, in the same manner as female warriors; but they are seldom or ever inventors.
All men are born with a nose and five fingers, but no one is born with a knowledge of God.
Illusion is the first of all pleasures.
I am very fond of truth, but not at all of martyrdom.
Very often, say what you will, a knave is only a fool.
Prejudices are what fools use for reason.
Men hate the individual whom they call avaricious only because nothing can be gained from him.
If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him.
I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it.
Tears are the silent language of grief.
We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongue, at our peril, risk and hazard.
