“self-preservation is the primary and only foundation of virtue.”

“The endeavor to understand is the first and only basis of virtue.”

“Blessedness is not the reward of virtue, but virtue itself.”

“Peace is not the absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition of benevolence, confidence, justice.”

“Only in relation to our imagination can things be called beautiful or ugly, well-ordered or confused”

“I would warn you that I do not attribute to nature either beauty or deformity, order or confusion. Only in relation to our imagination can things be called beautiful or ugly, well-ordered or confused.”

“Things which are accidentally the causes either of hope or fear are called good or evil omens.”