Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent$$$ but must develop it.

True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends$$$ but in the worth and choice.

Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions.

May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion.

Truth is great and will prevail if left to herself.

[It is a] happy truth that man is capable of self-government$$$ and only rendered otherwise by the moral degradation designedly superinduced on him by the wicked acts of his tyrant.

I never will$$$ by any word or act$$$ bow to the shrine of intolerance or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others.

They (religions) dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight and scowl on the fatal harbinger announcing the subversions of the duperies on which they live.

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.

It is neither wealth nor splendor$$$ but tranquility and occupation which give happiness.