In my opinion it is the happy living, and not, as Antisthenes said, the happy lying, in which human happiness consists.

One may disavow and disclaim vices that surprise us and whereto our passions transport us. But those which by long habit are rooted in a strong and anchored in a powerful will are not subject to contradiction. Repentance is but a denying of our will, and an opposition of our fantasies, which diverts us here and there.

There is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody agrees.

Children's games are hardly games. Children are never more serious than when they play.

There is nothing useless in nature; not even uselessness itself

Plenty and indigence depend upon the opinion every one has of them; and riches, like glory of health, have no more beauty or pleasure than their possessor is pleaded to lend them.

The public weal requires that men should betray, and lie, and massacre.