There are mountainous, arduous days, up which one takes an infinite time to climb, and downward-sloping days which one can descend at full tilt, singing as one goes.

Lies are essential to humanity. They are perhaps as important as the pursuit of pleasure and moreover are dictated by that pursuit.

Words do not change their meanings so drastically in the course of centuries as, in our minds, names do in the course of a year or two.

The creation of the world did not occur at the beginning of time, it occurs every day.

I should have been happy: I wasn’t.

It is always thus, impelled by a state of mind which is destined not to last, we make our irrevocable decisions

Life is extraordinarily suave and sweet with certain natural, witty, affectionate people who have unusual distinction and are capable of every vice, but who make a display of none in public and about whom no one can affirm they have a single one. There is something supple and secret about them. Besides, their perversity gives spice to their most innocent occupations, such as taking a walk in the garden at night.