All the great things of humanity have been accomplished in the name of absolute principles. – Ernest Renan
When people complain of life, it is almost always because they have asked impossible things of it. – Ernest Renan
In morals, truth is but little prized when it is a mere sentiment, and only attains its full value when realized in the world as fact. – Ernest Renan
No idea can succeed except at the expense of sacrifice; no one ever escapes without enduring strain from the struggle of life. – Ernest Renan
The simplest schoolboy is now familiar with truths for which Archimedes would have sacrificed his life. – Ernest Renan
You may take great comfort from the fact that suffering inwardly for the sake of truth proves abundantly that one loves it and marks one out as being of the elect. – Ernest Renan
To conceive the good, in fact, is not sufficient; it must be made to succeed among men. To accomplish this less pure paths must be followed. – Ernest Renan
Religion is not a popular error; it is a great instinctive truth, sensed by the people, expressed by the people. – Ernest Renan
He whom God has touched will always be a being apart: he is, whatever he may do, a stranger among men; he is marked by a sign. – Ernest Renan
As a rule, all heroism is due to a lack of reflection, and thus it is necessary to maintain a mass of imbeciles. If they once understand themselves the ruling men will be lost. – Ernest Renan
