I have had friends who have acted kindly towards me, and it has been my good fortune to have it in my power to give them substantial proofs of my gratitude.

When you fool a fool you strike a blow for intelligence.

I learned very early that our health is always impaired by some excess either of food or abstinence, and I never had any physician except myself.

Desires are but pain and torment, and enjoyment is sweet because it delivers us from them.

The philosopher is a person who refuses no pleasures which do not produce greater sorrows, and who knows how to create new ones.

They are the follies inherent to youth; I make sport of them, and, if you are kind, you will not yourself refuse them a good-natured smile.

There is no such thing as destiny. We ourselves shape our lives.