My manner of thinking, so you say, cannot be approved. Do you suppose I care? A poor fool indeed is he who adopts a manner of thinking to suit other people! My manner of thinking stems straight from my considered reflections; it holds with my existence, with the way I am made. It is not in my power to alter it; and were it, I'd not do so.
Marquis de SadeI've already told you: the only way to a woman's heart is along the path of torment. I know none other as sure.
Marquis de SadeIt is only by enlarging the scope of oneโs tastes and oneโs fantasies, by sacrificing everything to pleasure, that the unfortunate individual called Man, thrown despite himself into this sad world, can succeed in gathering a few roses among lifeโs thorns
Marquis de SadeAre wars anything but the means whereby a nation is nourished, whereby it is strengthened, whereby it is buttressed?
Marquis de Sade