Voltaire

Every one goes astray, but the least imprudent are they who repent the soonest.

This self-love is the instrument of our preservation; it resembles the provision for the perpetuity of mankind: it is necessary, it is dear to us, it gives us pleasure, and we must conceal it.

Society therefore is an ancient as the world.

Perfection is attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time.

Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare The truth thou hast, that all may share; Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare.

Every great movement must experience three stages ridicule, discussion, adoption.

The quieter you become, you more you are able to hear.

Envy is the tax which all distinction must pay.

That is the whole secret of successful fighting. Get your enemy at a disadvantage; and never, on any account, fight him on equal terms.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

There’s nothing you can know that isn’t known.

If the single man plant himself indomitably on his instincts, and there abide, the huge world will come round to him.

We cannot see things that stare us in the face until the hour comes that the mind is ripened.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

Most men would feel insulted if it were proposed to employ them in throwing stones over a wall, and then in throwing them back, merely that they might earn their wages. But many are no more worthily employed now.

When you have told anyone you have left him a legacy the only decent thing to do is to die at once.

He that lives to forever, never fears dying.

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change thing I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

The intellectual man requires a fine bait; the sots are easily amused. But everybody is drugged with his own frenzy, and the pageant marches at all hours, with music and banner and badge.

He that gives good advice builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example builds with both.

It is not he who gains the exact point in dispute who scores most in controversy – but he who has shown the better temper.