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

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.

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

For my future I have no concern, and as a true philosopher, I never would have any, for I know not what it may be: as a Christian, on the other hand, faith must believe without discussion, and the stronger it is, the more it keeps silent.

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

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

Thence, I suppose, my natural disposition to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness.