“Desires are but pain and torment, and enjoyment is sweet because it delivers us from them.”

“Death is not an evil, because it frees us from all evils, and while it takes away good things, it takes away also the desire for them. Old age is the supreme evil, because it deprives us of all pleasures, leaving us only the appetite for them, and it brings with it all sufferings. Nevertheless, we fear death, and we desire old age.”

“We as authors sign a pact with our readers; they'll go on reading because they trust us to play fair with them and deliver what we've promised.”

“Suffering comes from desire, not from pain.”

“Illusions commend themselves to us because they save us pain and allow us to enjoy pleasure instead. We must therefore accept it without complaint when they sometimes collide with a bit of reality against which they are dashed to pieces.”

“Give us this day our daily Faith, but deliver us, dear God, from Belief.”