The disappointments of life, the laws and customs invented by men, what are they before the instinctive affection we feel for beings that have proceeded from ourselves, and who perpetuate the infinite variety of our habits and thoughts?
I abhor those wretches who, in order not to disturb the commonplace peace of matrimony, abandon the children they have outside the house.

Paternity is the most noble of all animal functions, but the animals have more courage and dignity than man in fulfilling it.

No animal of the higher sort abandons or disowns its cub, and yet there are many men who turn their backs on their children for fear of what people will say.

If I, having a son, were enamoured of the most beautiful woman in the world, and she required me to forget that son, I would stifle my passion sooner than abandon the little one.

If my son sinned against every human law, and was sent to prison, even there would I follow him, defying the execration of the world, sooner than deny that he is my work.