It is no wonder that we all more or less delight in the mediocre, because it leaves us in peace: it gives us the comfortable feeling of intercourse with what is like ourselves.
There is no use in reproving vulgarity, for it never changes.
We cannot escape a contradiction in ourselves; we must try to resolve it. If the contradiction comes from others, it does not affect us: it is their affair.
There are many things in the world that are at once good and excellent, but they do not come into contact.
Which is the best government? That which teaches us to govern ourselves.