Thought can never be compared with action, but when it awakens in us the image of truth.
The desire of the man is for the woman, but the desire of the woman is for the desire of the man.
Good taste cannot supply the place of genius in literature, for the best proof of taste, when there is no genius, would be, not to write at all.
To live beneath sorrow, one must yield to it.
As we grow in wisdom, we pardon more freely.
The language of religion can alone suit every situation and every mode of feeling.
The people are as severe toward the clergy as toward women; they want to see absolute devotion to duty from both.
In women’s destiny everything goes downhill except for thought, whose immortal nature it is to keep constantly rising.
Who understands much, forgives much.
The mystery of existence is the connection between our faults and our misfortunes.
We cease loving ourselves if no one loves us.
Politeness is the art of choosing among your thoughts.
Sow good services: sweet remembrances will grow from them.
Whatever is natural admits of variety.
Atheism exists only in coldness, selfishness, and baseness.
Danger is like wine, it goes to your head.
We understand death for the first time when he puts his hand upon one whom we love.
Liberty is the only idea which circulates with the human blood, in all ages, in all countries, and in all literature – liberty that is, and what cannot be separated from liberty, a love of country.
The life of famous men was more glorious in antiquity; the life of obscure men is happier with the moderns.
If it were not for respect for human opinions, I would not open my window to see the Bay of Naples for the first time, whilst I would go five hundred leagues to talk with a man of genius whom I had not seen.