We never live: we are always in expectation of living.

I do not know in the whole history of the world a hero, a worthy man, a prophet, a true Christian, who has not been the victim of the jealous, of a scamp, or of a sinister spirit.

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

Laws should be clear, uniform, precise : to interpret them is nearly always to corrupt them.

O unfortunates who sin without pleasure! in your errors be more reasonable ; be, at least, fortunate sinners. Since you must be damned, be damned for amiable faults.

All joys do not cause laughter; great pleasures are serious: pleasures of love do not make us laugh.

Anything serves as a pretext for the wicked.

God created woman only to tame man.

Whoever is suspicious incites treason.

Use, do not abuse : neither abstinence nor excess ever renders man happy.