There aren't many benefactors who don't say, like Satan: All these things will I give you if you bow down and worship me.

I only study the things I like; I apply my mind only to matters that interest me. They'll be useful-or useless-to me or to others in due course, I'll be given-or not given-the opportunity of benefiting from what I've learned. In any case, I'll have enjoyed the inestimable advantage of doing things I like doing and following my own inclinations.

Wicked people sometimes perform good actions. I suppose they wish to see if this gives as great a feeling of pleasure as the virtuous claim for it.

False modesty is the most decent of all lies.

Marriage follows on love as smoke on flame.

In order to forgive reason for the evil it has wrought on the majority of men, we must imagine for ourselves what man would be without his reason. 'Tis a necessary evil.

If a woman were about to proceed to her execution, she would demand a little time to perfect her toilet.