Drinking when we are not thirsty and making love at all seasons, madam: that is all there is to distinguish us from other animals.

List of related works
Clavigo (1774) a tragedy by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe based on Beaumarchais's experiences in Spain
Il barbiere di Siviglia ovvero La precauzione inutile (1782) music by Giovanni Paisiello revised in 1787
Le nozze di Figaro (1786) an opera based on the title play libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte and music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Ta veseli dan ali Matiček se ženi (1790) by Anton Tomaž Linhart a play adapted from Le Mariage de Figaro
Il barbiere di Siviglia (1796) an opera based on the title play music by Nicolas Isouard
La pazza giornata ovvero Il matrimonio di Figaro (1799) an opera based on the title play libretto by Gaetano Rossi and music by Marcos Portugal
Il barbiere di Siviglia (1816) an opera based on the title play libretto by Cesare Sterbini and music by Gioachino Rossini
I due Figaro o sia Il soggetto di una commedia (1820) an opera based on the play Les deux Figaro ou Le sujet de comédie by Honoré-Antoine Richaud Martelly libretto by Felice Romani and music by Michele Carafa
I due Figaro o sia Il soggetto di una commedia (1835) an opera based on the play Les deux Figaro ou Le sujet de comédie by Honoré-Antoine Richaud Martelly libretto by Felice Romani and music by Saverio Mercadante
Chérubin (1905) an opera based on the title role music by Jules Massenet libretto by Francis de Croisset and Henri Cain
Beaumarchais (1950) a comedy written by Sacha Guitry
La mère coupable (1966) opera based on the title play music and libretto by Darius Milhaud
The Ghosts of Versailles (1991) opera based loosely on La Mère coupable music by John Corigliano libretto by William M. Rossini's 1816 version is his most successful work and still often performed. La Blache took advantage of Beaumarchais' court absence and persuaded Goezman to order Beaumarchais to repay all his debts to Duverney plus interest and all legal expenses.

He is probably best known however for his theatrical works especially the three Figaro plays. He made a number of important business and social contacts played various roles as a diplomat and spy and had earned a considerable fortune before a series of costly court battles jeopardized his reputation.