If one writes or reads novels from the point of view of psychology, it is very inconsistent and petty to want to shy away from even the slowest and most detailed analysis of the most unnatural lusts, gruesome tortures, shocking infamy, and disgusting sensual or spiritual impotence.

No idea is isolated, but is only what it is among all ideas.

A classification is a definition comprising a system of definitions.

Like Leibniz's possible worlds, most men are only equally entitled pretenders to existence. There are few existences.

Irony is a clear consciousness of an eternal agility, of the infinitely abundant chaos.

Every complete man has his genius. True virtue is genius.

Sense (for a particular art, science, human being, and so forth) is divided spirit; self-restraint is consequently the result of self-creation and self-destruction.