Knowing God without knowing our wretchedness leads to pride. Knowing our wretchedness without knowing God leads to despair. Knowing Jesus Christ is the middle course, because in him we find both God and our wretchedness.

We can only know God well when we know our own sin. And those who have known God without knowing their wretchedness have not glorified Him but have glorified themselves.

The charm of fame is so great, that we like every object to which it is attached, even death.

Even those who write against fame wish for the fame of having written well, and those who read their works desire the fame of having read them.

Nothing gives rest but the sincere search for truth.

Our intellect holds the same position in the world of thought as our body occupies in the expanse of nature.

Descartes useless and unnecessary.