The crimes of extreme civilization are certainly more atrocious than those of extreme barbarism.

The crimes of extreme civilization are certainly more atrocious than those of extreme barbarism.

The artist's morality lies in the force and truth of his description.

Yet, whether to the glory or to the shame of human nature, in what we call pleasure (with an excess of scorn, perhaps) there are abysses as deep as those of love.

The crimes of extreme civilization are probably worse than those of extreme barbarism, because of their refinement, the corruption they presuppose, and their superior degree of intellectuality.

I did not want to be taken for a fool-the typical French reason for performing the worst of deeds without remorse.

Passions are less mischievous than boredom, for passions tend to diminish and boredom increase.