 Noble deeds that are concealed are most esteemed. |
| All men's miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone. |
| When we see a natural style, we are astonished and charmed; for we expected to see an author, and we find a person. |
| In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't. |
| Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair. |
| One must know oneself. If this does not serve to discover truth, it at least serves as a rule of life and there is nothing better. |
| Time heals griefs and quarrels, for we change and are no longer the same persons. Neither the offender nor the offended are any more themselves. |
| The immortality of the soul is a matter which is of so great consequence to us and which touches us so profoundly that we must have lost all feeling to be indifferent about it. |
| It is good to be tired and wearied by the futile search after the true good, that we may stretch out our arms to the Redeemer. |
| The last act is bloody, however pleasant all the rest of the play is: a little earth is thrown at last upon our head, and that is the end forever. |
| If we examine our thoughts, we shall find them always occupied with the past and the future. |
| The charm of fame is so great that we like every object to which it is attached, even death. |
| Since we cannot know all that there is to be known about anything, we ought to know a little about everything. |
| Imagination decides everything. |
| We view things not only from different sides, but with different eyes; we have no wish to find them alike. |
| Custom is our nature. What are our natural principles but principles of custom? |
| Law, without force, is impotent. |
| I have made this letter longer than usual, only because I have not had the time to make it shorter. |
| Men often take their imagination for their heart; and they believe they are converted as soon as they think of being converted. |
| If we must not act save on a certainty, we ought not to act on religion, for it is not certain. But how many things we do on an uncertainty, sea voyages, battles! |
