Let there be truth between us.

The important thing is not to know more than all men, but to know more at each moment than any particular man.

There are three classes of readers; some enjoy without judgment; others judge without enjoyment; and some there are who judge while they enjoy, and enjoy while they judge. The latter class reproduces the work of art on which it is engaged. Its numbers are very small.

I am very anxious to please the public, particularly as it lives and lets live.

What life half gives a man, posterity gives entirely.

Excellence is rarely found, more rarely valued.

All one needs to do is declare oneself free and one will immediately feel dependent. If you dare to declare yourself dependent, you feel independent.