YEAR 1785

February 1784.

I shall define matter as “the dough of which bodies are made.” Its beginning was small, like all beginnings.

July 1784.

The light of the moon on the works of men, and that of the sun, by contrast.

December 17, 1784.

If the earth must perish, astronomy alone can console us for it.

December 1784.

— generous hands —

January 17, 1785.

“Mortal fortune... with immortal nature.” (Cic.)

June 7, 1785.

I imitate the dove, and often throw a blade of grass to the drowning ant.

October 8 in the evening. Departure of Fontanes.

In the bath, I was thinking of the repugnance men whose ways of life are beautiful feel at hearing these words from the mouths of their friends or neighbors: “I may die.” This expression is very common, and among us it is heard and spoken with indifference.

Fortunately, our pleasures constantly make us forget the death of which our affairs constantly make us think.

November 6.

Humi nascentia fraga, strawberries born upon the earth!

Nec tam praesentes alibi cognoscere divos, elsewhere it is not possible to see the gods so close.

Prisca fides facto, sed fama perennis, it was believed long ago and is still spoken of.