People can be induced to swallow anything, provided it is sufficiently seasoned with praise.

Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, and then for a few close friends, and then for money.

The less we deserve good fortune, the more we hope for it.

It is fine for a woman to know a lot; but I don't want her to have this shocking desire to be learned for learnedness sake. When I ask a woman a question, I like her to pretend to ignore what she really knows.

The public scandal is what constitutes the offence: sins sinned in secret are no sins at all.

Assassination's the fastest way.

Anyone may be an honorable man, and yet write verse badly.