Invention is the sole proof of genius.
1746
Truth is simple and clear; the marvelous always announces falsehood.
1766
The principle of things cannot be a necessity of any kind, but a freedom, because freedom alone is [...] absolute.
1839
If a prince remains indifferent [to an attack on an ally], he will reveal his weakness or his bad faith by not defending the one who has placed himself under his protection.
1513-1519
The Garter
1724
'Our sympathies go to the vanquished hero, not the victorious one'.
1896
[A force] can indeed carry [things] very fast, but not make them collide with other hard bodies; which would be required to break them.
1643-1649
"Cut off," he said, "only one buttock from each of these ladies, you will have a very good meal [...] heaven will be grateful to you for such a charitable action."
1759
Order reigns in the universe because all things proceed from a single principle and conspire to a single end.
c. 253-270 AD
The Calling of Saint Matthew
ca. 1625–30
Thought is an action and cannot be the essence: but it is an essential action, and all substances have such.
1704
If the Soul does not remember its own thoughts [...] of what use is it to it to think?
1689
The only pain [virtue] requires is to calculate correctly, and to give preference to the greatest happiness.
1751
Among democratic peoples, [men] are very close; their bodies touch constantly; their souls do not mingle.
1835-1840
James Stuart (1612–1655), Duke of Richmond and Lennox
ca. 1633–35
Great men, like great epochs, are explosive materials in which a tremendous force is accumulated.
1888
As soon as the agent exists, [...] the patient undergoing the action becomes something; but when the qualities are fully acquired [...], the subject no longer has to become; it is already all that it should be.
c. 350 B.C.E.
Taste varies with social circles, with generations, and we cannot [...] blame [an artist] for sometimes offending certain decadent sensibilities.
1926
It is not death and pain that we should fear, but the very fear of pain and death.
c. 108 AD
Limestone chest with incised decoration
8th century BCE?
To violate this trust is to destroy the common refuge of all men; it is to disturb, as much as one can, the harmony of society.
79 BC
From the perspective of the intellect, affirmation, which signifies composition, is prior to negation, which signifies division.
c. 1270
The social division of labor appears only as a particular form of this general process, and societies, by conforming to this law, seem to yield to a current that arose long before them [...].
1893
The union of the senses increases the number of ways of being: the chain of ideas becomes more extensive and varied.
1754
Marble grave relief with a funerary banquet and departing warriors
2nd century BCE
Without assiduous renewal, one is not able to receive this new wine which will not be put into old wineskins.
1656-1657
lust being like a furnace, which blazes up [...] if any outlet is left for the flames; and whose fire is extinguished absolutely, as soon as it is enclosed.
1627
Only the contemplation of our limits and our misery places us on a higher plane.
1947
Just as glory prefers to attach itself to those who flee it, so gratitude responds to benefits with a tribute all the sweeter for being left free to ignore them.
1st century AD
The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche
ca. 1540
[...] nature has made obstacles only to distinguish great souls from common ones [...].
1741-1784
I cannot be at the same time your magistrate and your slave.
100-120 AD
Every person maintains that equality is dictated by justice, unless they think that utility requires inequality.
1861
A plan for a work [...] that is too complicated [...] excites in us only a dull and weak impression.
1772
Brackets, 2
6th century BCE
No dissension is so great or so dangerous as that which comes from religion: it separates citizens, neighbors, friends, relatives [...], it breaks alliances [...] and penetrates to the depths of hearts to [...] entrench irreconcilable hatreds.
c. 1552-1553
we have no clear idea of our soul.
1674-1675
A warlike constitution is not yet war; it can and should rather prevent it by a decisive preponderance of reasons [...].
1796
By its frequency and duration, [a desire] brings into play other sensory organs, which increases the primitive need; or it makes the judgment that its fulfillment is necessary more frequent, which makes the suffering more energetic.
1801
The Spinner
1653
Modern science is [...] the daughter of mathematics; it was born the day algebra acquired enough strength and flexibility to entwine reality and capture it in the net of its calculations.
1919
It is artificial, unnatural science that has caused all the evils of this world, and the misfortune of all who inhabit it.
4th century BC
[One must] govern a People who can bear neither extreme servitude nor complete liberty.
1754
[Mockery and jesting] suppose an imperfection in the mocker.
c. 1660
Still Life: A Banqueting Scene
ca. 1640–41
Moderate exercises promote health.
End of the 4th century BC
The habit of success is so flattering that most people always aspire to new successes [...], like those with dropsy who cannot quench their thirst.
1636
It is seen by experience [...] that excellent memories are often joined to weak judgments.
1580
This idea of unity [...] was, in fact, very widespread, especially in the smaller states.
1851-1852
Allegorical Figures Representing Virtue and Abundance
1760