There is no more expensive thing than a free gift.

When I express my opinions it is so as to reveal the measure of my sight not the measure of the thing.

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.

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

When I play with my cat, how do I know that she is not playing with me rather than I with her?

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.

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

There are some defeats more triumphant than victories.

There is no passion so contagious as that of fear.