Every great action is extreme when it is undertaken. Only after it has been accomplished does it seem possible to those creatures of more common stuff.

It is difficult to escape from the prevailing disease of one's generation.

This religion takes away the courage of thinking of unusual things and prohibits self-examination above all as the most egregiousof sins.... It is one step away from protestantism.

...one of the traits of genius is not to drag its thought through the rut worn by vulgar minds.

But, if I sample this pleasure so prudently and circumspectly, it will no longer be a pleasure.

In love, unlike most other passions, the recollection of what you have had and lost is always better than what you can hope for in the future.

The pleasures of love are always in proportion to our fears.