"Jesus, in some respects, was an anarchist, for he had no idea of civil government. That government seems to him purely and simply an abuse."

Ernest Renan Philosophy See all quotes by Ernest Renan →

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“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“I can die when I wish to: that is my elixir of life.”

“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.”

“To be free in an age like ours, one must be in a position of authority. That in itself would be enough to make me ambitious.”

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