“At times one remains faithful to a cause only because its opponents do not cease to be insipid.”

“We do not place especial value on the possession of a virtue until we notice its total absence in our opponent.”

“As soon as a religion comes to dominate it has as its opponents all those who would have been its first disciples. ”

“The same passions in man and woman nonetheless differ in tempo; hence man and woman do not cease misunderstanding one another.”

“The desire for a strong faith is not the proof of a strong faith, rather the opposite. If one has it one may permit oneself the beautiful luxury of skepticism: one is secure enough, fixed enough for it.”

“One repays a teacher badly if one always remains nothing but a pupil.”

“The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind.”