The raging fire which urged us on was scorching us; it would have burned us had we failed to restrain it.

I have often met with happiness after some imprudent step which ought to have brought ruin upon me, and although passing a vote of censure upon myself I would thank God for his mercy.

I am writing My Life to laugh at myself, and I am succeeding.

I found that the writer who says SUBLATA LUCERNA NULLUM DISCRIMEN INTER MULIERES ('when the lamp is taken away, all women are alike') says true; but without love, this great business is a vile thing.

When a man is in love very little is enough to throw him into despair and as little to enhance his joy to the utmost.

The pleasure I gave my lovers was a four fifth of the pleasure I experienced.

When a man gets it into his head to do something, and when he exclusively occupies himself in that design, he must succeed, whatever the difficulties. That man will become Grand Vizier or Pope.