Woe to the makers of literal translations, who by rendering every word weaken the meaning! It is indeed by so doing that we can say the letter kills and the spirit gives life.

It is one of the superstitions of the human mind to have imagined that virginity could be a virtue.

Which is more dangerous: fanaticism or atheism? Fanaticism is certainly a thousand times more deadly; for atheism inspires no bloody passion whereas fanaticism does; atheism is opposed to crime and fanaticism causes crimes to be committed.

It requires ages to destroy a popular opinion.

Give me a few minutes to talk away my face and I can seduce the Queen of France.

In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.

Anyone who seeks to destroy the passions instead of controlling them is trying to play the angel.