The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us

It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.

Very learned women are to be found, in the same manner as female warriors; but they are seldom or ever inventors.

Those who think are excessively few; and those few do not set themselves to disturb the world.

Alas...I too have known love, that ruler of hearts, that soul of our soul: it's never brought me anything except one kiss and twenty kicks in the rump. How could such a beautiful cause produce such an abominable effect on you?

Divorce is probably of nearly the same date as marriage. I believe, however, that marriage is some weeks the more ancient.

I confess that my stomach does not take to this style of cooking. I cannot accept calves sweetbreads swimming in a salty sauce, nor can I eat mince consisting of turkey, hare, and rabbit, which they try to persuade me comes from a single animal... As for the cooks, I really cannot be expected to put up with this ham essence, nor the excessive quantity of morels and other mushrooms, pepper, and nutmeg with which they disguise perfectly good food.