“But, if I sample this pleasure so prudently and circumspectly, it will no longer be a pleasure.”

The Russians imitate French ways, but always at a distance of fifty years.

Wounded pride can take a rich young man far who is surrounded by flatterers since birth.

Now that the steam engine rules the world, a title is an absurdity, still I am all dressed up in this title. It will crush me if Ido not support it. The title attracts attention to myself.

To seem sorrowful is not in good taste: You’re supposed to seem bored.

The idea which tyrants find most useful is the idea of God.

I think no woman I have had ever gave me so sweet a moment, or at so light a price, as the moment I owe to a newly heard musical phrase.

I see but one rule: to be clear.

Every great action is extreme when it is undertaken. Only after it has been accomplished does it seem possible to those creatures of more common stuff.

A woman of generous character will sacrifice her life a thousand times over for her lover, but will break with him for ever over a question of pride.

God’s only excuse is that he does not exist.

Indeed, man has two different beings inside him. What devil thought of that malicious touch?

Women are always eagerly on the lookout for any emotion.

In our calling, we have to choose; we must make our fortune either in this world or in the next, there is no middle way.

If you don’t love me, it does not matter, anyway I can love for both of us.

Politics in the middle of things of the imagination is like a pistol shot in the middle of a concert.

Almost all our misfortunes in life come from the wrong notions we have about the things that happen to us.

When it comes to personal happiness there is a lot that we as individuals can do.

Happiness is not a goal, it’s a by-product of a life well lived.

Both to the rich and poor, wine is the happy antidote for sorrow.

If you like her, if she makes you happy, and if you feel like you know her – then don’t let her go

The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved – loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.

Doing what you love is freedom. Loving what you do is happiness.

My decision to end my marriage was such a risk to lose ratings and lose my fan base. I had to take that risk for my inner peace and to be happy with myself.

If a man speak or act with a good thought, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.