“Dearer to me than a host of base truths is the illusion that exalts.”

“A deception that elevates us is dearer than a host of low truths.”

“Better the illusions that exalt us than ten thousand truths.”

“what is renoun?more false than hope by dreams engendered.”

“Thus people--so it seems to me--Become good friends from sheer ennui.”

“If you but knew the flames that burn in me which I attempt to beat down with my reason.”

“But even friendship like our heroes'Exist no more; for we've outgrownAll sentiments and deem men zeroes--Except of course ourselves alone.We all take on Napoleon's features,And millions of our fellow creaturesAre nothing more to us than tools...Since feelings are for freaks and fools.Eugene, of course, had keen perceptionsAnd on the whole despised mankind,Yet wasn't, like so many, blind;And since each rule permits exceptions,He did respect a noble few,And, cold himself, gave warmth its due.”