I longed to be forgotten in order to be able to complain to myself.

After all manner of professors have done their best for us, the place we are to get knowledge is in books. The true university of these days is a collection of books.

People don't love each other at our age, Marthe—they please each other, that's all. Later on, when you're old and impotent, you can love someone. At our age, you just think you do. That's all it is.

To know oneself, one should assert oneself.

Who taught you all this, doctor?" The reply came promptly: "Suffering.

In order to be created, a work of art must first make use of the dark forces of the soul

Every great work makes the human face more admirable and richer, and this is its whole secret.