One declaims endlessly against the passions; one imputes all of man's suffering to them. One forgets that they are also the source of all his pleasures.

One is always alone in suffering; the fact is depressing when one happens to be the sufferer, but it makes pleasure possible for the rest of the world.

In fact, in more cases than not, when we are rational, we're actually unhappy. Emotion is good; passion is good. Being into what we're into, provided that it's a healthy pursuit, it's a good thing.

Skepticism is the first step on the road to philosophy.

Gaiety is a quality of ordinary men. Genius always presupposes some disorder in the machine.

Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those who obey