He prefers to brilliancy the pains of rightly distinguishing his ideas, of finding their true extent and exact connection.

He is never so attached to a system as not to feel all the force of the objections to it.

Most men are so strongly given over to their opinions that they do not take any trouble to make out those of others.

The philosopher, on the other hand, understands what he rejects, with the same breadth and the same accuracy as he understands what he adopts." Then Diderot turns characteristically from the intellectual to the social side.

"Our philosopher does not count himself an exile in the world; he does not suppose himself in an enemy's country; he would fain find pleasure with others, and to find it he must give it; he is a worthy man who wishes to please and to make himself useful.