“Originality is nothing by judicious imitation. The most original writers borrowed one from another.”

“Originality is nothing but judicious imitation. The most original writers borrowed one from another. The instruction we find in books is like fire. We fetch it from our neighbor's, kindle it at home, communicate it to others, and it becomes the property of all.”

“I hold firmly to my original views. After all I am a philosopher. ”

“Perhaps there is nothing greater on earth than the sacrifice of youth and beauty, often of high birth, made by the gentle sex in order to work in hospitals for the relief of human misery, the sight of which is so revolting to our delicacy. Peoples separated from the Roman religion have imitated but imperfectly so generous a charity.”

“the safest course is to do nothing against one's conscience. With this secret, we can enjoy life and have no fear from death.”

“An original writer is not one who imitates nobody, but one whom nobody can imitate.”

“If one doesn't get what one wants in one world, one can always get it in another”