If we do not know ourselves to be full of pride, ambition, lust, weakness, misery, and injustice, we are indeed blind. And if, knowing this, we do not desire deliverance, what can we say of a man...?

Notwithstanding the sight of all our miseries, which press upon us and take us by the throat, we have an instinct which we cannot repress, and which lifts us up.

All the miseries of mankind come from one thing, not knowing how to remain alone.

Distraction is the only thing that consoles us for miseries and yet it is itself the greatest of our miseries.

All of our miseries prove our greatness. They are the miseries of a dethroned monarch.