Good music is very close to primitive language. music
The general interest of the masses might take the place of the insight of genius if it were allowed freedom of action. freedom
Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest. government
We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter. truth
Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that aroused it. patriotism & society
Poetry must have something in it that is barbaric, vast and wild. poetry
There is only one passion, the passion for happiness. happiness
It is not human nature we should accuse but the despicable conventions that pervert it. nature
Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things. greatness
Pithy sentences are like sharp nails which force truth upon our memory. truth
The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers. greatness
The best doctor is the one you run to and can't find. best & medical
No man has received from nature the right to command his fellow human beings. nature
There are things I can't force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest change needed is a change of my viewpoint. change
People praise virtue, but they hate it, they run away from it. It freezes you to death, and in this world you've got to keep your feet warm. death
Morals are in all countries the result of legislation and government they are not African or Asian or European: they are good or bad. government