One must do violence to the object of one's desire; when it surrenders, the pleasure is greater.

It is not my mode of thought that has caused my misfortunes, but the mode of thought of others.

For mortal men there is but one hell, and that is the folly and wickedness and spite of his fellows; but once his life is over, there's an end to it: his annihilation is final and entire, of him nothing survives.

Sexual pleasure is, I agree, a passion to which all others are subordinate but in which they all unite.

We monsters are necessary to nature also.

It is not the opinions or the vices of private individuals that are harmful to the State, but rather the behavior of public figures.

I write what I see, the endless procession to the guillotine. Were all lined up, waiting for the crunch of the blade... the rivers of blood are flowing beneath our feet... Ive been to hell, young man, youve only read about it.