Mankind is getting smarter every day. Actually, it only seems so. At least we are making progress. We're progressing, to be sure, ever more deeply into the forest.

The sun of a prince's good graces resembles that in the skies in that it shines most kindly upon the blackest people.

Do hurry and proclaim the concordat. Then castrate yourselves to keep from sinning.

The graceful flowers of innocence are more valuable than the laurel crown of fame.

At certain times, men regard poetry merely as a bright flame, but to women it was, and always will be, a warm fire.

It is good insofar as it is not evil.

When receiving an order, many servants repeat their "yes" numerous times, especially the lazy ones.