“The art of angling, the cruelest, the coldest and the stupidest of pretended sports.”

Come what may, I have been blest.

What should I have known or written had I been a quiet, mercantile politician or a lord in waiting? A man must travel, and turmoil, or there is no existence.

The first moment of an universal republic would convert me into an advocate for single and uncontradicted despotism.

The tiger will himself intervene in the discussion, in a manner which will be in every sense conclusive.

The devil was the first democrat

Of religion I know nothing — at least, in its favor.

This is to be mortal, And seek the things beyond mortality.

Damn description, it is always disgusting.

The best prophet of the future is the past.

I deny nothing, but doubt everything.

Few things surpass old wine; and they may preach Who please, the more because they preach in vain

Friendship may, and often does, grow into love, but love never subsides into friendship.

Love will find a way through paths where wolves fear to prey.

I learned to love despair.

I do not believe in any religion, I will have nothing to do with immortality. We are miserable enough in this life without speculating upon another.

Let joy be unconfined.