Feeling lost, crazy and desperate belongs to a good life as much as optimism, certainty and reason.

The longing for destiny is nowhere stronger than in our romantic life.

That said, deciding to avoid other people does not necessarily equate with having no desire whatsoever for company; it may simply reflect a dissatisfaction with what—or who—is available. Cynics are, in the end, only idealists with awkwardly high standards. In Chamfort's words, 'It is sometimes said of a man who lives alone that he does not like society. This is like saying of a man that he does not like going for walks because he is not fond of walking at night in the forêt de Bondy.

Though it may feel otherwise, enjoying life is no more dangerous than apprehending it with continuous anxiety and gloom.

There is a devilishly direct relationship between the significance of an idea and how nervous we become at the prospect of having to think about it.

The only possible way to begin a book is to tell oneself that its eventual failure is guaranteed — but survivable.

What kills us isn't one big thing, but thousands of tiny obligations we can't turn down for fear of disappointing others.