When I look upon seamen, men of science and philosophers, man is the wisest of all beings; when I look upon priests and prophets nothing is as contemptible as man.

When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.

What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork to my lunch?

A person who does not pray habitually, no matter how believing or pious he may be, will not achieve full spiritual growth. Neither will he acquire peace of soul because he will always experience excessive scruples and never view things beyond their human or worldly significance. Thus, one will always suffer from vanity, selfishness, self-centeredness, ambition, meanness of heart, vileness of judgment, and a sickly willfulness and attachment to one's opinions. A person who does not pray may acquire human wisdom and prudence, but not true spiritual freedom or that deep and radical purification of the heart. One will not be able to grasp the depths of divine mercy or know how to make it known to others. His judgment will always end up shortsighted, mistaken, and contemptible. One will never be able to tread God's ways, which are far different from what many-even those who have committed themselves to a life in the spirit-conceive them to be.

How can a Man respect his Wife when he has a contemptible Opinion of her and her Sex?

When I look upon seamen men of science and philosophers man is the wisest of all beings when I look upon priests and prophets nothing is as contemptible as man.

When bad men combine the good must associate else they will fall one by one an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.

What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork to my lunch?

Only the contemptible fear contempt.