The devil is an optimist if he thinks he can make people worse than they are.

Parliamentarianism means putting political prostitution in barracks.

The unattractive thing about chauvinism is not so much the aversion to other nations as the love of one's own.

Through my satire I make little people so big that afterwards they are worthy objects of my satire and no one can reproach me any longer.

Talent is often a defect in character.

Adults who still derive childlike pleasure from hanging gifts of a ready-made education on the Christmas tree of a child waiting outside the door to life do not realize how unreceptive they are making the children to everything that constitutes the true surprise of life.

Since the law prohibits the keeping of wild animals and I get no enjoyment from pets, I prefer to remain unmarried.