I am a free man. I do not need to copy Petrarca or Boccaccio. My own genius is enough. Let others worry themselves about style, and so cease to be themselves. Without a master, without a model, without a guide, I go to work and earn my living, my well-being and my fame.

I love you, and because I love you, I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth than adore me for telling you lies.

Nature without exercise is a seed shut up in a pod, and art without practice is nothing.

I keep my friends as misers do their treasure, because, of all the things granted us by wisdom, none is greater or better than friendship.

And there is quite a different sort of conversation around a fire than there is in the shadow of a beech tree.... Four dry logs have in them all the circumstance necessary to a conversation of four or five hours, with chestnuts on the plate and a jug of wine between the legs. Yes, let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius.

With a goose-quill and a few sheets of paper, I mock myself of the universe. They say I am the son of a courtesan; it may be so, but I have the heart of a King. I live free, I enjoy myself, I can call myself happy.

Why should the eyes be denied what delights them most?