Quotes

Every usurer and scoundrel could buy himself, for a few pennies, the title of ‘great patriot of the people’.

There were many liberal laws, and no freedom at all.

Napoleon is always right.

The life of every individual, if we survey it as a whole and bring out only its most significant features, is really always a tragedy; but gone through in detail, it has the character of a comedy.

Rascals are always sociable — more’s the pity!

Of wild beasts the worst bite is the slanderer’s; of tame ones, the flatterer’s.

Asked why people give alms to beggars but not to philosophers, he answered that they fear they may become beggars themselves, but never philosophers.

What wine do you find pleasant to drink? — That for which other people pay.

A sensible man is ashamed to meddle in what he is not skilled in, while a senseless one thinks it a great shame if he does not poke his nose in everywhere.

Stand out of my sun.

Medicine is my lawful wife and literature is my mistress.

From the sublime to the ridiculous there is but one step.