The only reward to be expected from literature is contempt if one fails and hatred if one succeeds.

Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her: but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game.

What a pessimist you are!" exclaimed Candide. "That is because I know what life is," said Martin.

Let each of us boldly and honestly say: How little it is that I really know!

All men are born with a nose and ten fingers, but no one was born with a knowledge of God.

Every man is a creature of the age in which he lives and few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of the time.

Pleasure has its time; so too, has wisdom. Make love in thy youth, and in old age attend to thy salvation.