It is when I am, as it were, completely myself, entirely alone, and of good cheer.....that ideas flow best and most abundantly. Whence and how they come, I know not, nor can I force them.

If people could see into my heart, I should almost feel ashamed - all there is cold, cold as ice.

I am a fool. That is well known.

I must give you a piece of intelligence that you perhaps already know, namely that the ungodly arch-villain Voltaire has died miserably like a dog, just like a brute. That is his reward!

A bachelor, in my opinion, is only half alive.

I never lie down at night without reflecting that, young as I am, I may not live to see another day.

Write to me and don't be so lazy. Otherwise I shall have to give you a thrashing. What fun! I'll break your head.