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No two opinions exactly alike
“Never did two men judge alike about the same thing, and it is impossible to find two opinions exactly alike, not only in different men, but in the same man at different times.” III.13 “Of experience” (p. 995)
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Desire for Knowledge
“There is no desire more natural than the desire for knowledge. We try all the ways that can lead us to it. When reason fails us, we use experience…which is a weaker and less dignified means.”III. 13 “Of experience” (p. 993)
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To listen to ourselves
“The life of Caesar has no more to show us than our own; an emperor’s or an ordinary man’s, it is still a life subject to all human accidents. Let us only listen: we tell ourselves all we most need.” III.13 Of experience (p. 1001)
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All the abuses in the world
“[A]ll the abuses in the world are engendered, by our being taught to be afraid of professing our ignorance and our being bound to accept everything that we cannot refute.” III.2 Of cripples (p. 959)
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No End to Research
“It is only personal weakness that makes us content with what others orourselves have found out in this hunt for knowledge. An abler man will not rest content with it. There is always room for a successor, yes, and for ourselves, and a road in another direction. There is no end to our researches; our…
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Speech belongs half to the speaker
“Speech belongs half to the speaker, half to the listener. The latter must prepare to receive it according to the motion it takes. As among tennis players, the receiver moves and makes ready according to the motion of the striker and the nature of the stroke.” III.13 “Of experience” (p.1016)
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Opinions
“There is nothing on which men are commonly more intent than on making a way for their opinions.” Of Cripples. 957
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An open way of speaking
“An open way of speaking opens up another man’s speech and draws it out, as do wine and love” III.1 “Of the useful and the honorable” (p. 730)
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The empty husks that strike us
“It takes little to divert and distract us, for it takes little to hold us. We scarcely look at things in gross and alone; it is the minute and superficial circumstances and notions that strike us, and the empty husks that peel off from the things…” III.4 “Of diversion” (p. 770)
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On saying silly things
“No one is exempt from saying silly things. The misfortune is to say them with earnest effort.” III. 1 “Of the useful and the honorable” (p. 726)