Casanova Quotes

“As libertines we seek to find and provide pleasures for others before pleasing ourselves. Libertines are never boorish, profane or blasphemous. We seek to lessen any cause for offence while maximizing pleasure. After our liaisons, our return is eagerly anticipated, and our departure is mourned. For most men the reverse is the case. In a world where most men are barely on before they are off again, we take the time and the care to be gentle lovers and build the sighs and the panting of true delight.”
― Harry F. MacDonald, Casanova and the Devil's Doorbell

“Pomposity plans your eviction just as your derriere is settling on to the finest of cushions.”
― Harry F. MacDonald, Casanova and the Devil's Doorbell

“Women! They madly love Casanovas for their traits and equally hate them for being disloyal.”
― Himmilicious, Lemon Tea and White Safari

“The only thing the Marquis does in moderation is moderation”
― Harry F. MacDonald, Casanova and the Devil's Doorbell

“They [his readers, whom he asks to be his friends] will find that I have always loved truth so passionately that I have often resorted to lying as a way of first introducing it into minds which were ignorant of its charms” (Casanova, p.34, Vol 1 Preface).”
― Casanova, The Complete Memoirs of Casanova (Unexpurgated Edition)

“In so much firm, pleasure-loving flesh, we cannot find the merest trace of a moral nervous system. That explains the whole enigma of Casanova's subtle genius. Lucky man that he is, he has only sensuality, and lacks the first beginnings of a soul. Bound by no ties, having no fixed aim, restrained by no prudent considerations, he can move at a different tempo from his fellow mortals, who are burdened with moral scruples, who aim at an ethical goal, who are tied by notions of social responsibility. That is the secret of his unique impetus, of his incomparable energy.”
― Stefan Zweig, Casanova: A Study in Self-Portraiture

“What decides whether a man will become immortal, is not his character but his vitality. Nothing save intensity confers immortality. A man manifests himself more vividly, in proportion as he is strong and unified, effective and unique. Immortality knows nothing of morality or immorality, of good or evil; it measures only work and strength; it demands from a man not purity but unity. Here, morality is nothing; intensity, all.”
― Stefan Zweig, Casanova: A Study in Self-Portraiture

“…they looked about as careful and as discreet as a troupe of Visigoths at an afternoon tea party.”
― Harry F. MacDonald, Casanova and the Devil's Doorbell

“What has infused my very blood with an unconquerable hatred of the whole tribe of fools from the day of my birth is that I become a fool myself whenever I am in their company.”
― Giacomo Casanova de Seingalt, Storia della mia fuga dai Piombi

“He was quite a Casanova, no doubt about it. He was in a very good mood today and stopped longer than usual. The girls could see he was gloriously drunk.
’Well, Ragna, why do you think I come here so often?’ asked Rolandsen.
’I’ve no idea,’ Ragna answered.
’You must think I’m sent by old Laban.’
The girls giggled. ’When he says Laban he really means Adam.’
’I’ve come to save you,’ said Rolandsen. ’You have to beware of the fishermen around here, they’re out-and-out seducers!’
’There’s no greater seducer than you,’ said another girl. ’You’ve got two kids already. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.’
’How can you talk like that, Nicoline? You’ve always been a thorn in my flesh and you’ll be the death of me, you know damned well. But as for you, Ragna, I’m going to save your soul wether you like it or not!”
― Knut Hamsun, Dreamers

“Got any more of that wine, Casanova?"

"I'm French, Sarah, not Italian. And I'm a vampire. I always have wine," Matthew said with a wicked smile. "There's no danger of running out.”
― Deborah Harkness, A Discovery of Witches

“That is how our arch-adventurer likes to live, moving on from explosion to explosion of fortune and misfortune.”
― Stefan Zweig, Casanova: A Study in Self-Portraiture

“In his stay with the cultured old epicure, Casanova had learnt two Latin saws, which were to be for the rest of his life his gospel and his policy: Fata viam inveniunt. Volentem ducit, nolentem trahit. As we may say : Fate finds the way, and Life leads its lover, betrays its rebel.”
― William Bolitho, Twelve Against the Gods

“Casanova had no ordinary shame”
― William Bolitho, Twelve Against the Gods

“The truth is that he (Casanova) had ceased subtly to be an adventurer to become a noisy scoundrel, or if that is too harsh, that he had no longer the irresistible charm of being the world’s best loser. He was always greedy. Now he was grasping. He was always noticeable. Now he was loud. He had become without knowing it a social man, desperately interested in the stability of his own position which he tried, without knowing how to do it, to link up with the stability of society. He had become a fortune hunter, and shrank from the quest of chance; the supernatural shine had left his eyes. Men saw in him no longer Puck, but a rival.”
― William Bolitho, Twelve Against the Gods

“لا تخجل من حقيقة شعورك حتي لو ضاع هدراً على أشياء لا تستحقه”
― Sándor Márai

“Yet, feeling his way, starting by the passive opposition of small thefts, stealing sausage ends and crusts of bread when Signora Squeers was asleep, he (Casanova) progressed until he arrived at the thought “ that it was ridiculous to be oppressed”
― William Bolitho, Twelve Against the Gods

“To every sweetheart he (Casanova) gave himself exclusively; he had so many selves.”
― William Bolitho, Twelve Against the Gods

“Nevertheless this was the problem Casanova solved. His prime secret is in his own words. “ I have always believed that when a man gets it into his head to do something, and when he exclusively occupies himself in that design, he must succeed whatever the difficulties. That man will become Grand Vizier or Pope. He will upset a dynasty, provided he starts young and has the brain and perseverance necessary. For when a man has arrived at the age that Chance despises he can no longer do anything ; for without her aid there is no hope.”
― William Bolitho, Twelve Against the Gods

“You have the most lovely skin,”  Finn told her. “Like mahogany. Like the finest river loam. Could I touch it?”
“You are touching it, Casanova,”  Rita answered, eyes on the blood pressure dial. “Behave.”
“Casanova?”  Finn shot Diego a questioning glance.
“Famous lover.”
“Ah. A compliment?”
“Sarcasm.”  Please don’t make me explain sarcasm.
“Typical.”
Apparently, it wouldn’t be necessary.”
― Angel Martinez, Finn

“You can’t be a playboy and honest at the same time. It will kill you before you even get a chance to up your shield.”
― Sarvesh Jain