Instead of single epigram for this weekend, here are a selection of maxims from the French atheist, philosopher, and poet Sylvain Maréchal (1750-1803) and a short poem from Victor Hugo (1802-1885).

Maxims in French Lines (In the style of Publilius Syrus’s Sententiae)
Sylvan Maréchal

IV
A father, for his son, is the first of the Gods.
Un père, pour son fils, est le premier des Dieux.

XXII
The man who believes in God is no longer free.
L’homme, qui croit en Dieu, n’est plus indépendant

XXV
Love Virtue: the rest is arbitrary
Adore la Virtu: le reste est arbitraire

XXXIV
Whoever has a friend can get by without a God
Qui possède un ami, peut se passer d’un Dieu.

L
If at least we could have Gods without priests!
Si nous pouvions au moins avoir des Dieux sans prêtres!

LXVIII
It is far less risky to doubt than to believe.
On risque beaucoup moins de douter que de croire

Written at the Base of a Crucifix
Victor Hugo

You who cry, come to this God, because he cries.
You who suffer, come to him, because he heals.
You who tremble, come to him, because he smiles.
You who pass, come to him, because he remains.

Vous qui pleurez, venez à ce Dieu, car il pleure.
Vous qui souffrez, venez à lui, car il guérit.
Vous qui tremblez, venez à lui, car il sourit.
Vous qui passez, venez à lui, car il demeure.