Voltaire

Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.

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

Injustice in the end produces independence.

It is with books as with men: a very small number play a great part.

How pleasant it is for a father to sit at his child’s board. It is like an aged man reclining under the shadow of an oak which he has planted.

The mouth obeys poorly when the heart murmurs.

Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.

So I became a newspaperman. I hated to do it but I couldnt find honest employment.

The only way to avoid being miserable is not to have enough leisure to wonder whether you are happy or not.

The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.

The beginning of an acquaintance whether with persons or things is to get a definite outline of our ignorance.

Life is the art of drawing sufficient conclusions from insufficient premises.

Indeed, history is nothing more than a tableau of crimes and misfortunes.

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.

Does he council you better who bids you, Money, by right means, if you can: but by any means, make money?

Here’s the thing: the world is not going to issue you an engraved invitation to this life.

A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.

We estimate the wisdom of nations by seeing what they did with their surplus capital.

I often quote myself. It adds spice to my conversation.

The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.

Those who do not move, do not notice their chains.