“Hope is nothing but a deceitful flatterer accepted by reason only because it is often in need of palliatives.”

“Enjoy the present, bid defiance to the future, laugh at all those reasonable beings who exercise their reason to avoid the misfortunes which they fear, destroying at the same time the pleasure that they might enjoy.”

“We love without heeding reason, and cease to love in the same manner.”

“Love is only a feeling of curiousity more or less intense, grafted upon the inclination placed in us by nature that the species may be preserved.”

“There is no such thing as destiny. We ourselves shape our lives.”

“When a man is in love very little is enough to throw him into despair and as little to enhance his joy to the utmost.”

“To lead a blameless life you must curb your passions , and whatever misfortune may befall you cannot be ascribed by anyone to want of good luck, or attributed to fate; these words are devoid of sense, and all fault will rightly fall on your own head.”