Man's natural character is to imitate; that of the sensitive man is to resemble as closely as possible the person whom he loves. It is only by imitating the vices of others that I have earned my misfortunes.

The primary and most beautiful of Nature's qualities is motion, which agitates her at all times, but this motion is simply a perpetual consequence of crimes, she conserves it by means of crimes only.

Fear not lest precautions and protective contrivances diminish your pleasure: mystery only adds thereto.

Religions are the cradles of despotism.

One must feel sorry for those who have strange tastes, but never insult them. Their wrong is Nature's too; they are no more responsible for having come into the world with tendencies unlike ours than are we for being born bandy-legged or well-proportioned.

Prejudice is the sole author of infamies: how many acts are so qualified by an opinion forged out of naught but prejudice!

The most fortunate of persons is he who has the most means to satisfy his vagaries.