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.

I have felt in my very blood, ever since I was born, a most unconquerable hatred towards the whole tribe of fools, and it arises from the fact that I feel myself a blockhead whenever I am in their company.

We ourselve are the authors of almost all our woes and griefs, of which we so unreasonably complain.

In the mean time I worship God, laying every wrong action under an interdict which I endeavour to respect, and I loathe the wicked without doing them any injury.

It is only necessary to have courage, for strength without self-confidence is useless.

You will be amused when you see that I have more than once deceived without the slightest qualm of conscience, both knaves and fools.

Should I perchance still feel after my death, I would no longer have any doubt, but I would most certainly give the lie to anyone asserting before me that I was dead.