One must choose, in philosophy, between pure reasoning which aims for a definitive result [...] and patient observation which only gives approximate results, capable of being corrected and completed indefinitely.
1919
It is not the violent struggle between different parts of the truth that is the formidable evil, but the quiet suppression of one half of the truth.
1859
Whether fortune has stripped a citizen of his possessions, or injustice has stolen them from him; if his reputation is spotless, honor consoles him for his poverty.
81 BC
Carried by the ebb and flow of prejudices [...], reasonable or mad by chance, the slave of opinion is equally senseless in the eyes of the wise.
1758
Allegorical Figures Representing Virtue and Abundance
1760
There is an [...] integral whole whose parts, when separated from the whole, can naturally exist by themselves.
c. 1270
In the pilgrimage of this life, man finds everywhere the opportunity to learn and subjects for meditation.
1609
We only enjoy other people; the rest is nothing.
1746
Anticipating the winter storms, [a Gardener] had moved a great many artichokes [...] into a small covered shed, hoping to keep them good and fresh for two or three months.
1774
The Golden Age
1605
Before doing anything, a true Sage examines the goal and chooses the means. [...] they expose such a precious object for such a minimal and uncertain result. In reality, they do even worse, for the life they expose is more precious.
4th century BC
Space is not a substance, but an attribute [...]. Space is immense, immutable, and eternal; and the same must be said of duration.
1715-1716
Delaying [a project] that is to become the first successful example [...] is the same as sowing the seed before maturity, and later harvesting weeds.
1777
If you take away a hunchback's hump, you take away his spirit at the same time.
1883-1885
Bronze floral element
ca. 550–500 BCE
What one generation or era admired, the following generation or era never fails to despise it [...].
1926
Envy is never produced by a feeling of justice [...] and yet it is their happiness that excites envy.
c. 72-126 AD
[...] when they [minds] have once acquiesced to false opinions [...], it is just as impossible to speak to them intelligibly as to write legibly on a paper already scribbled over with writing.
1772
If any prince [...] should find disagreeable truths in this work, let him remember that as a public man he owes the public an account of his actions.
1731
The Marriage of the Virgin
ca. 1479
In men of mediocre capacity, the social virtues become [...] still more necessary, because nothing can compensate for the lack of these virtues, nor shield a man from our hatred.
1751
There will be no shortage of people eager to govern others; but as for those who are willing to be governed, [...] let them be left in peace.
1760
Prudence obliges one to show contentment, even if one is not; and to thank not only those who give something back, but also those who do not take everything.
1643-1649
It must also be known that those who command are themselves obedient.
1943
Portrait of a Man
1703
[...] that a thing is incomprehensible is no reason to refuse our assent to it when its existence is proven. We are only justified in denying what is demonstrably impossible [...].
1801
The multitude believes more in persons than in things, and [...] is more persuaded by the authority of the speaker than by the reasons he gives.
c. 1552-1553
Disorders of the imagination are extremely contagious, and [...] slip and spread into most minds with great ease.
1674-1675
...where each person will pay for their seat only the ordinary price.
1662
La Berceuse (Woman Rocking a Cradle; Augustine-Alix Pellicot Roulin, 1851–1930)
1889
The parties that contended in turn for mastery regarded the possession of this immense state edifice as the principal spoils of the victor.
1851/1852
[One must act] with that eagerness and prudence which are [...] customary.
1498
The enthusiasm for sublime virtues was of little use in society; [...] the continuity of small duties, always well fulfilled, demanded no less strength than heroic actions.
1782-1789
Tell yourself as soon as you are up in the morning: 'What do I lack to rise above all passions, above all troubles?'
c. 108 AD
Terracotta plank-shaped figurine
ca. 2000–1800 BCE
When the weakest sentiments lose their energy, the stronger sentiments, which are of the same kind [...], cannot fully retain theirs.
1893
[Love] constantly monopolizes half the forces and thoughts of the younger part of humanity; the final goal of almost all human efforts, it exerts a deplorable influence on all important affairs.
1819
A hero never appears greater than in circumstances capable of obscuring the glory of anyone other than himself.
1636
Is it not a Government where one man, commanding a multitude, is judge in his own cause, and may do to all his subjects whatever he pleases?
1690
Marble fragment of a hero relief
late 5th century BCE
It is impossible, if we make good use of our understanding, for us to neglect to love God.
c. 1660
Perhaps [...] it is out of benevolence that the god grants me [...] to end my life not only at the most suitable time, but in the least painful way.
4th century BC
Only a government [...] that always dealt with men individually [...] could have maintained the ridiculous and senseless inequality [...]; the slightest contact with self-government would have profoundly modified and rapidly transformed or destroyed it.
1856
Science and its object differ from opinion and its object, in that science is universal and proceeds by necessary propositions, and the necessary cannot be otherwise than it is.
c. 350 BCE
Christ Shown to the People
1510–15
Nature is sufficient for what she demands. But luxury has strayed from nature, a luxury that spurs itself on day by day, that grows with the centuries, an ingenious auxiliary to vices.
63-64 AD
What is not good is to abandon the Creator to live according to the created good, whether one wants to live according to the flesh, or according to the soul, or according to the whole man.
c. 253-270 AD
To compare is nothing other than to give one's attention to two ideas at the same time.
1754
'Our god is money, our religion is profit'.
1896
The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche
ca. 1540