“To judge from the notions expounded by theologians, one must conclude that God created most men simply with a view to crowding hell.”

“One must do violence to the object of one's desire; when it surrenders, the pleasure is greater.”

“Anything beyond the limits and grasp of the human mind is either illusion or futility; and because your god having to be one or the other of the two, in the first instance I should be mad to believe in him, and in the second a fool.”

“In order to know virtue, we must first acquaint ourselves with vice.”

“Variety, multiplicity are the two most powerful vehicles of lust.”

“Chimerical and empty being, your name alone has caused more blood to flow on the face of the earth than any political war ever will. Return to the nothingness from which the mad hope and ridiculous fright of men dared call you forth to their misfortune. You only appeared as a torment for the human race. What crimes would have been spared the world, if they had choked the first imbecile who thought of speaking of you.”

“I suggest somewhere that anyone who wishes to write and has no aptitude for it would be better off making shoes for ladies and boots for men.”