Paparazzi always made me really uncomfortable.
Knowledge humanizes mankind, and reason inclines to mildness; but prejudices eradicate every tender disposition.
If we only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, and that is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.
The less men think, the more they talk.
The alms given to a naked man in the street do not fulfil the obligations of the state, which owes to every citizen a certain subsistence, a proper nourishment, convenient clothing, and a kind of life not incompatible with health.
They who love to inform themselves, are never idle. Though I have no business of consequence to take care of, I am nevertheless continually employed. I spend my life in examining things: I write down in the evening whatever I have remarked, what I have seen, and what I have heard in the day: every thing engages my attention, and every thing excites my wonder: I am like an infant, whose organs, as yet tender, are strongly affected by the slightest objects.
Political liberty in a citizen is that tranquillity of spirit which comes from the opinion each one has of his security, and in order for him to have this liberty the government must be such that one citizen cannot fear another citizen.
When you're a comedian, you're just by yourself.
I never saw anything that would qualify as a criminal activity.
Conceit is vanity driven from all other shifts, and forced to appeal to itself for admiration.
Music is always a reflection of what's going on in the hearts and minds of the culture.