To judge from the notions expounded by theologians, one must conclude that God created most men simply with a view to crowding hell.

There is no more lively sensation than that of pain; its impressions are certain and dependable, they never deceive as may those of the pleasure women perpetually feign and almost never experience.

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

Happiness lies only in that which excites, and the only thing that excites is crime.

Destruction, hence, like creation, is one of Nature's mandates.

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.

I assumed that everything must yield to me, that the entire universe had to flatter my whims, and that I had the right to satisfy them at will.