We are always more disposed to laugh at nonsense than at genuine wit; because the nonsense is more agreeable to us, being more comfortable to our natures.

The woman who does not choose to love should cut the matter short at once, by holding out no hopes to her suitor.

There are women so hard to please that it would seem as if nothing less than an angel would suit them; and hence it comes that they often encounter devils.

Delicacy is the genuine tint of virtue.

It is the same in love as in war; a fortress that parleys is half taken.

We shall all be perfectly virtuous when there is no longer any flesh on our bones.

Science conducts us, step by step, through the whole range of creation, until we arrive, at length, at God.

Women suffer more from disappointment than men, because they have more of faith and are naturally more credulous.

No one perfectly loves God who does not perfectly love some of his creatures.

Temptations, like misfortunes, are sent to test our moral strength.

Prudence advises us to use our enemies as if one day they might be friends.

The universe would give you whatever you wanted if you twisted its arm hard enough.

All's the government should do is keep the taxes and regulations at a manageable rate, keep a decent standing army and get out of the way.

I'm trying to capture something more fragile than a regular story. I love what people bring me.

We are awash in the revealed world.

There is nothing in the world really beneficial that does not lie within the reach of an informed understanding and a well-protected pursuit.

I always prefer the big laugh. That is always the objective, especially with a film like Scary Movie 2

The need to protect the environment has emerged as an undeniably important priority for me.

I don't believe in having bands for solo records.

If you do a trick and it doesn't work out, that can stick with you. I like to go back, nail the trick, and, 'OK, I'm cool, it's all good.'

You know, people tend to like to buy companies that are doing well.