“The deepest, the only theme of human history, compared to which all others are of subordinate importance, is the conflict of scepticism with faith.”

“Sexual pleasure is, I agree, a passion to which all others are subordinate but in which they all unite.”

“Life is sacred, that is to say, it is the supreme value, to which all other values are subordinate.”

“The idea that the State is capable of solving social problems is now viewed with great scepticism – which foretells a coming change. As soon as scepticism is applied to the State, the State falls, since it fails at everything except increasing its power, and so can only survive on propaganda, which relies on unquestioning faith.”

“Humans have invented all kinds of symbols to communicate not only with other humans but more importantly with ourselves.”

“I was deeply interested in the little family history which he detailed to me with all that candor which a Frenchman indulges whenever mere self is the theme.”