The problem in trying to understand the universe is that we have nothing to compare it with.
People are generally better persuaded by the reasons that they have themselves discovered than by those that have come into the mind of others.
No one speaks of us in our presence as he does of us in our absence. Human society is founded on mutual deceit; few friendships would endure if each knew what his friend said of him in his absence, although he then spoke in sincerity and without passion.
We do not content ourselves with the life we have in ourselves and in our own being; we desire to live an imaginary life in the mind of others, and for this purpose we endeavor to shine.
We are so presumptuous that we would wish to be known by all the world, even by people who shall come after, when we shall be no more; and we are so vain that the esteem of five or six neighbors delights and contents us.
Vanity is so anchored in the heart of man that a soldier, a soldier’s servant, a cook, a porter brags and wishes to have his admirers. Even philosophers wish for them. Those who write against it want to have the glory of having written well; and those who read it desire the glory of having read it. I who write this have perhaps this desire, and perhaps those who will read it...
Are you less a slave by being loved and favored by your master? You are indeed well off, slave. Your master favors you; he will soon beat you.
The last act is tragic, however happy all the rest of the play is; at the last a little earth is thrown upon our head, and that is the end forever.
The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know. We feel it in a thousand things.
It is the heart that experiences God, and not the reason.
It is not good to have too much liberty. It is not good to have all one wants.
Contradiction is a bad sign of truth; several things that are certain are contradicted; several things that are false pass without contradiction.
Contradiction is not a sign of falsity, nor the want of contradiction a sign of truth.
The greatness of man is great in that he knows himself to be miserable. A tree does not know itself to be miserable. …
Contraries
After having shown the vileness and the greatness of man
Let man now know his value. Let him love himself, for there is in him a nature capable of good; but let him not for this reason love the vileness that is in him. Let him despise himself, for this capacity is barren; but let him not therefore despise this natural capacity. Let him hate himself, let him love himself; he has within him the capacity of knowing the truth and of being happy, but he possesses no truth, either constant or satisfactory.
‘Tis a perverted judgment that makes every one place himself above the rest of the world, and prefer his own good, and the continuance of his own good fortune and life, to that of the rest of the world!
We are all something, but none of us are everything
Kind words do not cost much; yet they accomplish much.
I have made this letter longer because I did not have the time to make it shorter.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…
…Avoid foolish questions, genealogies, contentions, and legal strivings—for they are unprofitable and vain. Warn a conflicting person once, and then once again [if necessary], but no more than that.
We do not remember days; we remember moments.
Life is art.
Man’s life is a succession of self-expressions.
Man suffers if he fails to express himself.
Man’s true self is revealed when his ego is effaced.
At every moment, man stands at the crossroads of good and evil.
Attain the perfect harmonious state of mind and matter.
Many times we will get more ideas and better ideas in two hours of creative loafing than in eight hours at a desk.
The tinsel, glitter, and the specious mien
Delude the most; few pry behind the scene.
The mind ought sometimes to be diverted, that it may return the better to thinking.
The humble are in danger when those in power disagree.
The only problem with seeing too much is that it makes you insane.
If you like what you are doing, nothing is too far and no job is too hard.
Avoiding danger is not cowardice.
Courage without discretion is no good.
Alertness and courage are life’s shield.
No matter how much care is taken, someone will always be misled.
It is easier to dam a river than to stop the flow of gossip.
The child who is given everything he asks for usually won’t succeed in life.
Even if the truth is buried for centuries, it will eventually come out and thrive.
A good character is real beauty that never fades.
The person who makes an error should be taught, and not made fun of.
If you buy things you don’t need, you will soon be selling things you do need.
I have nothing to prove to anyone. I only play for myself.
I am using this time, instead of letting this time use me.
Courage is knowing what not to fear.
They deem him the worst enemy who tells them the truth.
Life must be lived as play.
Man: a being in search of meaning.
The mere athlete becomes too much of a savage.
The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.
Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty.
It is no disgrace not to be able to do everything; but to undertake, or pretend to do, what you are not made for, is not only shameful, but extremely troublesome and vexatious.
If each person would sweep before his own house, the city would soon be clean.
God promised me a fur coat, and I am already sweating.
Truth can take you everywhere…including jail!
While we live we must make the best of life.
Virtuous and vicious everyone must be; few in extremes, but all in degree.
Some praise at morning what they blame at night, but always think the last opinion right.
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace
He who is well prepared has already won half of the battle.
Not much can be done when everyone is giving orders.
The dog wags his tail, not for you, but for your bread.
Hell is paved with good intentions, and roofed with lost opportunities.
Live to explain thy doctrine by thy life.
Be to her virtues very kind;
Be to her faults a little blind.
Never sleep while your meat is cooking on the fire.
Do not fear a stain that disappears with water.
What might not happen in a year might happen in an instant.