I had no wish to argue with him; I only sought to read his shallow soul through and through that I might be convinced of his utter worthlessness.

"According to modern civilization there is really no special need to be virtuous unless it suits us.

The only thing necessary for pleasant living is to avoid public scandal." "Just so!" agreed Ferrari; "and that can always be easily managed.

Take a woman's reputation--nothing is so easily lost, we all know, before she is actually married; but marry her well, and she is free.

She can have a dozen lovers if she likes, and if she is a good manager her husband need never be the wiser.