Reason’s last step is the recognition that there are an infinite number of things which are beyond it. - Blaise Pascal

People often mistake their imagination for their heart, & so often are convinced they are converted as soon as they start thinking of becoming converted.

It is not your strength and your natural power that subjects all these people to you. Do not pretend then to rule them by force or to treat them with harshness. Satisfy their reasonable desires; alleviate their necessities; let your pleasure consist in being beneficent; advance them as much as you can, and you will act like the true king of desire.

If our state were really happy, we should not need to take our minds off it in order to make ourselves happy.