My strength has not equaled my mad ambition. I have remained obscure; I have done worse -- I have touched success, and allowed it to escape me.

Sex is the most respectable and holy thing in all creation, the most serious act in life.

No one makes a revolution by himself; and there are some revolutions which humanity accomplishes without quite knowing how, because it is everybody who takes them in hand.

Nothing resembles selfishness more closely than self-respect

Some say that cats are devils, but they behave badly only when they are alone. When they are among us cats are angels.

If people were not wicked I should not mind their being stupid; but, to our misfortune, they are both.

I'm not full of virtues and noble qualities. I love, but I love strongly, exclusive, stedfasty.