The interest I have to believe a thing is no proof that such a thing exists.

I envy animals for two things - their ignorance of evil to come, and their ignorance of what is said about them.

The wicked can have only accomplices, the voluptuous have companions in debauchery, self-seekers have associates, the politic assemble the factions, the typical idler has connections, princes have courtiers. Only the virtuous have friends.

To announce truths is an infallible receipt for being persecuted.

If we do not exert the right of eating our neighbor, it is because we have other means of making good cheer

All pleasantry should be short; and it might even be as well were the serious short also.

I swear that, not being able to be yours, I will belong to no one.