It is always by way of pain one arrives at pleasure.

It is only by enlarging the scope of one's tastes and one's fantasies, by sacrificing everything to pleasure, that that unfortunate individual called man, thrown despite himself into this sad world, can succeed in gathering a few roses . . .

It is only by enlarging the scope of one’s tastes and one’s fantasies, by sacrificing everything to pleasure, that the unfortunate individual called Man, thrown despite himself into this sad world, can succeed in gathering a few roses among life’s thorns

To lie is always a necessity for women; above all when they choose to deceive, falsehood becomes vital to them.

How delicious are these implements of torture.

True felicity lies only in the senses, and virtue gratifies none of them.