How could I bear to be a man, if man were not also a poet, a solver of riddles, and a redeemer of chance!
1883-1885
To philosophize is nothing other than to prepare oneself for death.
1580
To be happy, desire must be neither too strong nor too weak.
1742
whenever a proposition is inconceivable, one must suspend judgment [...], but examine its contrary; and if one finds the contrary to be manifestly false, one can boldly affirm the first, however incomprehensible it may be.
circa 1658
Flora and Zephyr
1743
The very notion of a chosen people is incompatible with the knowledge of the true God. It is social idolatry, the worst idolatry.
1962
You claim that every substantial form is indivisible, indestructible, and ungenerable, and can only be produced by a true creation.
1686
The wise man is the most eager pursuer of natural wealth.
63-64 AD
Consider the fox, the leopard. [...] they always end up perishing in a net or a trap. Why? Because of their beautiful fur, which men covet.
4th century BC
Portrait of a Woman, Possibly Barbara (1768–1829), Marchioness of Donegall
ca. 1790
God loves his work in us, but God would not have done in us what is worthy of his love if, before doing so, he had not loved us first.
1263-1264
It is not [...] reason, but passions alone that govern the crowd [...].
1670
It is not a question for [the rulers] to contract but to obey, and in taking on the functions the State imposes on them, they are only fulfilling their duty as Citizens.
1762
Some fall asleep on the authority of prejudices and even admit contradictory ones, for want of going to the point where they contradict each other.
1746
The Adoration of the Magi
ca. 1470
To see a million men serve miserably, with their necks under the yoke, not constrained by a greater force, but [...] enchanted and charmed by the name of one man alone.
c. 1552-1553
As for me, although old age is gaining on me, I will not blush to reconcile myself with my dear Cicero, whom I had abandoned for too long.
45 BC
Those who walk only very slowly can advance much further, if they always follow the right path, than those who run and stray from it.
1637
Interest is indeed the least constant thing in the world. Today, it is useful for me to unite with you; tomorrow, the same reason will make me your enemy.
1893
View of Toledo
ca. 1599–1600
There is no shame in receiving the prize for such great services; but to refuse is more glorious still.
100-120 AD
I am the Empire at the end of its decadence, [this line] served to christen an entire literary movement.
1926
The principles of a possible experience are therefore at the same time universal laws of nature, which can be known a priori.
1783
One marries; one takes a job; one has a wife, children, before having any common sense. Ah! If only one could start over!
1759-1774
Saint Andrew
ca. 1326
Weakness always demands equality and justice; strength cares nothing for it.
c. 350 BCE
Alas! My dear Roderigo, [...] it is your wife who is coming for you.
1518-1527
A society of equals can only exist on the understanding that the interests of all are to be regarded equally.
1861
Light is not the quality of a subject; it is the act that emanates from a subject, but does not pass into another subject; only, if another subject is present, it will experience an affection.
c. 253-270 AD
Venice from the Bacino di San Marco
ca. 1765–75
When I speak, I wear a mask; when I act, I am forced to take it off.
1772
It is a common notion to every man who uses his reason rather than his senses, that nothing can be annihilated by the ordinary forces of nature.
1674-1675
[...] as consumption grew among citizens of all classes, prices rose in all markets.
1776
The only thing that is uncertain is whether [our] ideas truly conform to the beings of which we believe them to be images [...].
1805
Buckle
7000 BCE - 330 CE
The 'reciprocity' of movement is therefore an observable fact. [...] science operates only on measurements [...].
1922
It is only the followers of monotheistic religions [...] who regard suicide as a crime.
1851
Americans of all ages, all conditions, and all dispositions constantly form associations.
1835-1840
There was [...] an uninterrupted series of devastations throughout the hemisphere.
1756
Marble head of a woman wearing diadem and veil
425–400 BCE
Providence is evidently the conviction that man has of the infinite value of his existence; it is religious idealism.
1841
The immediate cause of the inability to learn is prejudice, and the cause of prejudice is a false opinion of our own knowledge.
1772
A solid and sure judgment, and a spirit all of fire, are [...] qualities that attract the name of prodigy to the man in whom they are united.
1636
If, by freely expressing [...] the opinion I have of myself, I must offend the judges, I would rather die [...].
4th century BC
Head of a Child
1768
Economists explain to us how production takes place in these given relations, but what they do not explain is how these relations themselves are produced, that is, the historical movement which gives them birth.
1847
Political power derives its origin from the convention and mutual consent of those who have joined together to form a society.
1690
In public, do not encroach: do not claim for yourself what belongs to all.
c. 108 AD
To excel in theory, one must resolve to be inferior to many others in practice; and what one gains on one side, one loses on the other.
1609
Die-counter or draught piece
3900 BCE - 100 CE