All that philosophy can teach is to be stubborn or sullen under misfortunes.

Philosophy can add to our happiness in no other manner but by diminishing our misery; it should not pretend to increase our present stock, but make us economists of what we are possessed of. Happy were we all born philosophers; all born with a talent of thus dissipating our own cares by spreading them upon all mankind.

Philosophy ... should not pretend to increase our present stock, but make us economists of what we are possessed of.

To a philosopher no circumstance, however trifling, is too minute.