Things are always at their best in their beginning. |
Things have different qualities, and the soul different inclinations; for nothing is simple which is presented to the soul, and the soul never presents itself simply to any object. Hence it comes that we weep and laugh at the same thing. |
This religion taught to her children what men have only been able to discover by their greatest knowledge. |
Those are weaklings who know the truth and uphold it as long as it suits their purpose, and then abandon it. |
Those we call the ancients were really new in everything |
Those who do not hate their own selfishness and regard themselves as more important than the rest of the world are blind because the truth lies elsewhere |
Through space the universe encompasses and swallows me up like an atom; through thought I comprehend the world. |
Thus our first interest and our first duty is to enlighten ourselves on this subject, whereon depends all our conduct. Therefore among those who do not believe, I make a vast difference between those who strive with all their power to inform themselv |
Thus so wretched is man that he would weary even without any cause for weariness... and so frivolous is he that, though full of a thousand reasons for weariness, the least thing, such as playing billiards or hitting a ball, is sufficient enough to amuse him. |
Thus we never live, but we hope to live; and always disposing ourselves to be happy, it is inevitable that we never become so. |
Time heals griefs and quarrels, for we change and are no longer the same persons. |
To deny, to believe, and to doubt absolutely -- this is for man what running is for a horse. |
To find recreation in amusement is not happiness. |
To go beyond the bounds of moderation is to outrage humanity. |
To have no time for philosophy is to be a true philosopher. |