It is as impossible to translate poetry as it is to translate music.

When a man is in love, jealous, and just whipped by the Inquisition, he is no longer himself.

The Bible. That is what fools have written, what imbeciles commend, what rogues teach and young children are made to learn by heart.

Optimism," said Cacambo, "What is that?" "Alas!" replied Candide, "It is the obstinacy of maintaining that everything is best when it is worst.

Before receiving your instruction, I must tell you what happened to me one day. I had just had a closet built at the end of my garden. I heard a mole arguing with a cockchafer; 'Here's a fine structure,' said the mole, 'it must have been a very powerful mole who did this work.' 'You're joking,' said the cockchafer; 'it's a cockchafer full of genius who is the architect of this building.' From that moment I resolved never to argue.

He is a hard man who is only just, and a sad one who is only wise.

Men are in general so tricky, so envious, and so cruel that when we find one who is only weak, we are too happy.