Nature, who for the perfect maintenance of the laws of her general equilibrium, has sometimes need of vices and sometimes of virtues, inspires now this impulse, now that one, in accordance with what she requires. Marquis de Sade on nature
Lust is to the other passions what the nervous fluid is to life it supports them all, lends strength to them all ambition, cruelty, avarice, revenge, are all founded on lust. Marquis de Sade on strength
The more defects a man may have, the older he is, the less lovable, the more resounding his success. Marquis de Sade on success
Truth titillates the imagination far less than fiction. Marquis de Sade on truth
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. Marquis de Sade on women
Happiness is ideal, it is the work of the imagination. Marquis de Sade on work