Books are never out of humour; never envious or jealous, they answer all questions with readiness; ... they teach us how to live and how to die; they dispel melancholy by their mirth, and amuse by their wit; they prepare the soul to suffer everything and desire nothing; they introduce us to ourselves.

History proves there is no better advertisement for a book than to condemn it for obscenity.

Past and present, it is all the same, books are necromancers, they exercise an influence more varied, more lasting, than any magic known to man.

Originality is only variation.

Be contented, when you have got all you want.

Forgive everybody but yourself.

When in doubt, risk it