When I was young, I expected from people more than they could give: neverending friendship and constant excitement. Now I expect less than they can actually can give: to stay close silently. And their feelings, friendship, noble deeds always seem like a miracle to me: a true grace.

I feel more fellowship with the defeated than with saints.

And it was like knocking four quick times on the door of unhappiness.

Because,' Cormery went on, 'when I was very young, very foolish, and very much alone ... you paid attention to me and, without seeming to, you opened for me the door to everything I love in the world.

There always comes a time when one must choose between contemplation and action. This is called becoming a man.

One must place one's principles in big things. For the small, graciousness will suffice.

He seemed so certain about everything, didn't he? And yet none of his certainties was worth one hair of a woman's head. He wasn't even sure he was alive, because he was living like a dead man.