Sculpture and painting are very justly called liberal arts; a lively and strong imagination, together with a just observation, being absolutely necessary to excel in either; which, in my opinion, is by no means the case of music, though called a liberal art, and now in Italy placed even above the other two--a proof of the decline of that country.

You must look into people, as well as at them.

Speak of the moderns without contempt and of the ancients without idolatry; judge them all by their merits, but not by their age

Men, as well as women, are much oftener led by their hearts than by their understandings.

Pleasure is a necessary reciprocal. No one feels, who does not at the same time give it. To be pleased, one must please. What pleases you in others, will in general please them in you.

The best way to compel weak-minded people to adopt our opinion, is to frighten them from all others, by magnifying their danger.

Sex: the pleasure is momentary, the position ridiculous, and the expense damnable.