Animals do not admire each other. A horse does not admire its companion.

Books and Reading

The last thing one discovers in composing a work is what to put first.

Conflict

The war existing between the senses and reason.

Deception

We like to be deceived.

Enthusiasm

Earnestness is enthusiasm tempered by reason.

Faith

Faith embraces many truths which seem to contradict each other.

Fame

The charm of fame is so great that we like every object to which it is attached, even death.

Habit

Habit is the second nature which destroys the first.

Imagination

Imagination decides everything.

Kindness

Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.

Listening

We only consult the ear because the heart is wanting.

Moderation

To go beyond the bounds of moderation is to outrage humanity.

Passion

Nothing is so intolerable to man as being fully at rest, without a passion, without business, without entertainment, without care.

Philosophers and Philosophy

The origins of disputes between philosophers is, that one class of them have undertaken to raise man by displaying his greatness, and the other to debase him by showing his miseries.

Self-discovery

One must know oneself. If this does not serve to discover truth, it at least serves as a rule of life and there is nothing better.

Style

When we see a natural style, we are astonished and charmed; for we expected to see an author, and we find a person.

Thoughts and Thinking

Man's greatness lies in his power of thought.

Wordiness

I have made this letter a rather long one, only because I didn't have the leisure to make it shorter.