The faculty of doubting is rare among men. A few choice spirits carry the germs of it in them, but these do not develop without training.

What men call civilization is the condition of present customs; what they call barbarism, the condition of past ones.

For every monarchy overthrown the sky becomes less brilliant, because it loses a star. A republic is ugliness set free.

God, conquered, will become Satan; Satan, conquering, will become God. May the fates spare me this terrible lot; I love the Hell which formed my genius. I love the Earth where I have done some good, if it be possible to do any good in this fearful world where beings live but by rapine.

Change is the essence of life.

It is human nature to think wisely and to act in an absurd fashion.

Chance is perhaps the pseudonym of God when he did not want to sign.