The greatest and most important thing in the world is founded on weakness. This is a remarkably sure foundation, for nothing is surer than that the p… - Blaise Pascal

There are only two kinds of men: the righteous who think they are sinners and the sinners who think they are righteous.

Nothing is good but mediocrity. The majority has settled that, and finds fault with him who escapes it at whichever end.

[80] Respect means; put yourself out. That may look pointless, but it is quite right, because it amounts to saying: I should certainly put myself out if you needed it, because I do so when you do not; besides, respect serves to distinguish the great. If respect meant sitting in an armchair we should be showing everyone respect and then there would be no way of marking distinction, but we make the distinction quite clear by putting ourselves out.