She had already allowed her delectable lover to pluck that flower which, so different from the rose to which it is nevertheless sometimes compared, has not the same faculty of being reborn each spring.
The imagination is the spur of delights... all depends upon it, it is the mainspring of everything; now, is it not by means of the imagination one knows joy? Is it not of the imagination that the sharpest pleasures arise?
There is no more lively sensation than that of pain; its impressions are certain and dependable, they never deceive as may those of the pleasure women perpetually feign and almost never experience.
The ultimate triumph of philosophy would be to cast light upon the mysterious ways in which Providence moves to achieve the designs it has for man.
Religions are the cradles of despotism.
'Sex' is as important as eating or drinking and we ought to allow the one appetite to be satisfied with as little restraint or false modesty as the other.
Truth titillates the imagination far less than fiction.
Never lose sight of the fact that all human felicity lies in man's imagination, and that he cannot think to attain it unless he heeds all his caprices. The most fortunate of persons is he who has the most means to satisfy his vagaries.
No lover, if he be of good faith, and sincere, will deny he would prefer to see his mistress dead than unfaithful.
Happiness lies neither in vice nor in virtue; but in the manner we appreciate the one and the other, and the choice we make pursuant to our individual organization.
Man's natural character is to imitate; that of the sensitive man is to resemble as closely as possible the person whom he loves. It is only by imitating the vices of others that I have earned my misfortunes.
What is more immoral than war?
Lust's passion will be served; it demands, it militates, it tyrannizes.
Variety, multiplicity are the two most powerful vehicles of lust.
Destruction, hence, like creation, is one of Nature's mandates.
All universal moral principles are idle fancies.
Are wars anything but the means whereby a nation is nourished, whereby it is strengthened, whereby it is buttressed?
Sensual excess drives out pity in man.
I've already told you: the only way to a woman's heart is along the path of torment. I know none other as sure.
