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.

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.

Flattery and deceit are the darlings of great men, and so with these men spread the butter on thick, if you want to get something out of them, otherwise you'll come home to me with a full belly and an empty purse.

Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius.

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

Anger represents a certain power, when a great mind, prevented from executing its own generous desires, is moved by it.

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.