The average man does not get pleasure out of an idea because he thinks it is true; he thinks it read more

The average man does not get pleasure out of an idea because he thinks it is true; he thinks it is true because he gets pleasure out of it.

Every age has its pleasures, its style of wit, and its own ways.

Every age has its pleasures, its style of wit, and its own ways.

The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.

The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.

The greatest pleasure I know is to do a good action by stealth, and to have it found out by read more

The greatest pleasure I know is to do a good action by stealth, and to have it found out by accident.

It is happy for you that possess the talent of pleasing with
delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing read more

It is happy for you that possess the talent of pleasing with
delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed
from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous
study?

There is no sterner moralist than pleasure.

There is no sterner moralist than pleasure.

I despise the pleasure of pleasing people that I despise.

I despise the pleasure of pleasing people that I despise.

I live and reign since I have abandoned those pleasures which you
by your praises extol to the skies.
read more

I live and reign since I have abandoned those pleasures which you
by your praises extol to the skies.
[Lat., Vivo et regno, simul ista reliqui
Quae vos ad coelum effertis rumore secundo.]

Let the fictitious sources of pleasure be as near as possible to
the true.
[Lat., Ficta voluptatis causa read more

Let the fictitious sources of pleasure be as near as possible to
the true.
[Lat., Ficta voluptatis causa sint proxima veris.]