Satire lies about literary men while they live and eulogy lies about them when they die.

I am the best-natured creature in the world, and yet I have already killed three, and of these three two were priests.

Give me the patience for the small things of life, courage for the great trials of life. Help me to do my best each day and then go to sleep knowing God is awake.

I am very fond of truth, but not at all of martyrdom.

Men must have somewhat altered the course of nature; for they were not born wolves, yet they have become wolves. God did not give them twenty-four-pounders or bayonets, yet they have made themselves bayonets and guns to destroy each other. In the same category I place not only bankruptcies, but the law which carries off the bankrupts’ effects, so as to defraud their creditors.

The most amazing and effective inventions are not those which do most honour to the human genius.

The biggest reward for a thing well done is to have done it.