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

I always made my food congenial to my constitution, and my health was always excellent.

As to the deceit perpetrated upon women, let it pass, for, when love is in the way, men and women as a general rule dupe each other.

I have lived as a philosopher and die as a Christian.

Cultivating whatever gave pleasure to my senses was always the chief business of my life; I have never found any occupation more important. Feeling that I was born for the sex opposite mine, I have always loved it and done all that I could to make myself loved by it. I have also been extravagantly fond of good food and irresistibly drawn by anything which could excite curiosity.

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

The same principle that forbids me to lie does not allow me to tell the truth.