There is only one virtue, justice; only one duty, to be happy; only one corollary, not to overvalue life and not to fear death.

I have not the hope of being immortal, because the desire of it has not given me that vanity.

Anyone who takes it upon himself, on his private authority, to break a bad law, thereby authorizes everyone else to break the good ones.

For me, my thoughts are my prostitutes.

Scepticism is the first step toward truth.

There's a bit of testicle at the bottom of our most sublime feelings and our purest tenderness.

If the weather is too cold or rainy, I take shelter in the Regence Cafe, where I entertain myself by watching chess being played. Paris is the world center, and this cafe is the Paris centre for the finest skill at this game.