It is beyond a doubt that during the sixteenth century, and the years immediately preceding and following it, poisoning had been brought to a pitch of perfection which remains unknown to modern chemistry, but which is indisputably proved by history. Italy, the cradle of modern science, was at that time, the inventor and mistress of these secrets, many of which are lost.

Marriage must fight constantly against a monster which devours everything: routine.

At thirty years a woman asks her lover to give her back the esteem she has forfeited for his sake; she lives only for him, her thoughts are full of his future, he must have a great career, she bids him make it glorious; she can obey, entreat, command, humble herself, or rise in pride; times without number she brings comfort when a young girl can only make moan.

A man who stops at nothing short of the law is very clever indeed!

Novelty is both delightful and deceptive.

The love of nature is the only love that does not deceive human hopes.

In a world of hunchbacks, a fine figure becomes a monstrosity.