There is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody agrees.

When I am attacked by gloomy thoughts, nothing helps me so much as running to my books. They quickly absorb me and banish the clouds from my mind.

When I quote others I do so in order to express my own ideas more clearly.

Whatever these futilities of mine may be, I have no intention of hiding them any more than I would a bald and grizzled portrait of myself. These are my humours, my opinions, things which I believe, not to be believed. My aim is reveal myself which may well be different tomorrow.

There is indeed a certain sense of gratification when we do a good deed that gives us inward satisfaction, and a generous pride that accompanies a good conscience…These testimonies of a good conscience are pleasant; and such a natural pleasure is very beneficial to us; it is the only payment that can never fail. On Repentance.

There are no truths, only moments of claryty passing for answers.

When a man is commonplace in discussion yet valued for what he writes that shows that his talents lie in his borrowed sources not in himself.

There is as much difference between us and ourselves as there is between us and others.

There is little less trouble in governing a private family than a whole kingdom.

There is no desire more natural than the desire for knowledge.