A penniless man who has no ties to bind him is master of himself at any rate, but a luckless wretch who is in love no longer belongs to himself, and may not take his own life. Love makes us almost sacred in our own eyes; it is the life of another that we revere within us; then and so begins for us the cruelest trouble of all.

Conscience is our unerring judge until we finally stifle it.

Emulation is not rivalry. Emulation is the child of ambition; rivalry is the unlovable daughter of envy.

Society proceeds like the ocean. After a disaster, it resume its wonted level and rhythms; its devouring interests efface all traces of damage.

Passion is universal humanity. Without it religion, history, romance and art would be useless.

Women are happy to possess a man whom all women covet.

A careful observation of Nature will disclose pleasantries of superb irony. She has for instance placed toads close to flowers.