 I believe humankind is infinitely perfectible, and that it should thus devote itself to achieving peace, liberty and equality, whose term is impossible to fix. I also believe that this progress must be the work of reason, fortified by meditation, supported by experience. According to these principles, my philosophy has to be cold and patient … I would not say, “everything is good” but rather that “everything will be good”, and, for that, I will offend both sides. [my translation] (cited in Robinet 1968 [orig. 1893],  101).[12]