It is commonly supposed that the art of pleasing is a wonderful aid in the pursuit of fortune; but the art of being bored is infinitely more successful.

The best philosophical attitude to adopt towards the world is a union of the sarcasm of gaiety with the indulgence of contempt.

Tragedy has the great moral defect of giving too much importance to life and death.

Contact with the world either breaks or hardens the heart.

Contemplation often makes life miserable. We should act more, think less, and stop watching ourselves live.

It must be admitted that there are some parts of the soul which we must entirely paralyse before we can live happily in this world.

It is commonly supposed that the art of pleasing is a wonderful aid in the pursuit of fortune; but the art of being bored is infinitely more successful.