The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them... Whether you find satisfaction in life depends not on your tale of years, but on your will.

When I quote others I do so in order to express my own ideas more clearly.

And therefore, Reader, I myself am the subject of my book: it is not reasonable that you should employ your leisure on a topic so frivolous and so vain. Therefore, Farewell.

Women are more susceptible to pain than to pleasure.

Natural inclinations are assisted and reinforced by education, but they are hardly ever altered or overcome.

Virtue rejects facility to be her companion. She requires a craggy, rough and thorny way.

Confidence in the goodness of another is good proof of one's own goodness.