26 quotes
French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist (1596–1650)
“It is only prudent never to place complete confidence in that by which we have even once been deceived.”
"The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest men of past centuries."
on Writing
"To live without philosophizing is in truth the same as keeping the eyes closed without attempting to open them."
on Life
"I desire to live in peace and to continue the life I have begun under the motto 'to live well you must live unseen"
"A state is better governed which has few laws, and those laws strictly observed."
on Government
"I am indeed amazed when I consider how weak my mind is and how prone to error."
on Self Awareness
"The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries."
"The senses deceive from time to time, and it is prudent never to trust wholly those who have deceived us even once."
on Wisdom
"It is not enough to have a good mind the main thing is to use it well."
"I think therefore I am."
on Philosophy
"...we ought also to consider as false all that is doubtful."
"...the greater objective (representative) perfection there is in our idea of a thing, the greater also must be the perfection of its cause."
"But in my opinion, all things in nature occur mathematically."
"The dreams we imagine when we are asleep should not in any way make us doubt the truth of the thoughts we have when we are awake."
"It is not enough to have a good mind. The main thing is to use it well."
"Common sense is the most widely shared commodity in the world, for every man is convinced that he is well supplied with it."
"There is nothing more ancient than the truth."
on Truth
"You just keep pushing. You just keep pushing. I made every mistake that could be made. But I just kept pushing."
on Perseverance
"If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things."
"Let whoever can do so deceive me, he will never bring it about that I am nothing, so long as I continue to think I am something."
"Except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in our power."
