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

I am bound to add that the excess in too little has ever proved in me more dangerous than the excess in too much; the last may cause indigestion, but the first causes death.

God ceases to be God only for those who can admit the possibility of His non-existence, and that conception is in itself the most severe punishment they can suffer.

After all, a beautiful woman without a mind of her own leaves her lover with no resource after he had physically enjoyed her charms.

I don't conquer, I submit.

The thing is to dazzle

Enjoy the present, bid defiance to the future, laugh at all those reasonable beings who exercise their reason to avoid the misfortunes which they fear, destroying at the same time the pleasure that they might enjoy.