We desire truth, and find within ourselves only uncertainty. We seek happiness, and find only misery and death. We cannot but desire truth and happiness, and are incapable of certainty or happiness.
All of our miseries prove our greatness. They are the miseries of a dethroned monarch.
All the miseries of mankind come from one thing, not knowing how to remain alone.
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.
Distraction is the only thing that consoles us for miseries and yet it is itself the greatest of our miseries.