"I always wanted to learn to distinguish the true from the false, in order to see clearly in my actions and to walk with confidence in this life."

"To be able to live without fear, without anxiety, without sadness, and without any other passion which could disturb the tranquillity of the soul."

"I found it possible to reject all my former beliefs, and to admit nothing as true that I had not clearly conceived."

"The soul truly exists."

"I resolved to feign that all the perceptions I had ever received were no truer than the illusions of my dreams."