I have put my talent into writing, my genius I have saved for living.

The liar at any rate recognizes that recreation, not instruction, is the aim of conversation, and is a far more civilized being than the blockhead who loudly expresses his disbelief in a story which is told simply for the amusement of the company.

History is only gossip.

Hatred is blind, as well as love.

As for the virtuous poor, one can pity them of course, but one cannot possibly admire them.

The only thing that one really knows about human nature is that it changes. Change is the one quality we can predicate of it.

It is through art, and through art only, that we can realise our perfection.