Let us imagine a number of men in chains, and all condemned to death, where some are killed each day in the sight of the others, and those who remain see their own fate in that of their fellows, and wait their turn, looking at each other sorrowfully and without hope. It is an image of the condition of men.

Noble deeds that are concealed are most esteemed.

Do you wish men to speak well of you? Then never speak well of yourself.

Force and not opinion is the queen of the world but it is opinion that uses the force.

Imagination disposes of everything it creates beauty justice and happiness which is everything in this world.

If the nose of Cleopatra had been shorter the whole face of the earth would have been changed.

I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter.

If the nose of Cleopatra had been a little shorter the whole face of the world would have been changed.

Force and not opinion is the queen of the world but it it opinion that uses the force.

I spent a long time in the study of the abstract sciences, and was disheartened by the small number of fellow-students in them. When I commenced the study of man, I saw that these abstract sciences are not suited to man, and that I was wandering further from my own state in examining them, than others in not knowing them. I pardoned their little knowledge; but I thought at least to find many companions in the study of man, and that it was the true study which is suited to him. I have been deceived; still fewer study it than geometry. It is only from want of knowing how to study this that we seek the other studies. But is it not that even here is not the knowledge which man should have, and that for the purposes of happiness it is better for him not to know himself?