True knowledge consists in knowing things, not words.

Muse, time has taught me that all metaphysical systems, even historical facts given as truths, are hardly that, so I amuse myself with more agreeable lies; I no longer read anything but novels.

A man that is ashamed of passions that are natural and reasonable is generally proud of those that are shameful and silly.

The ultimate end of your education was to make you a good wife.

The familiarities of the gaming-table contribute very much to the decay of politeness ... The pouts and quarrels that naturally arise from disputes must put an end to all complaisance, or even good will towards one another.

It's in no way my interest (according to the common acceptance of that word) to convince the world of their errors; that is, I shall get nothing from it but the private satisfaction of having done good to mankind, and I know nobody that reckons that satisfaction any part of their interest.

The one thing that reconciles me to the fact of being a woman is the reflection that it delivers me from the necessity of being married to one.