I find no intellect comparable to my own

There are noble books but one wants the breath of life sometimes.

It is a vulgar error that love, a love, to woman is her whole existence; she is born for Truth and Love in their universal energy

As to marriage, I think the intercourse of heart and mind may be fully enjoyed without entering into this partnership of daily life.

How anyone can remain a Catholic - I mean who has ever been aroused to think, and is not biased by the partialities of childish years - after seeing Catholicism here in Italy I cannot conceive.

Nature provides exceptions to every rule.

Would that the simple maxim, that honesty is the best policy, might be laid to heart; that a sense of the true aim of life might elevate the tone of politics and trade till public and private honor become identical.