Every individual, from the highest to the lowest degree, has his place in the ladder of social life, and around him swirls a little world of interests, composed of stormy passions and conflicting atoms

No, I slept as I always do when I am bored and have not the courage to amuse myself, or when I am hungry and have not the desire to eat.--The Count of Monte Cristo

Why, in truth, sir," was Monte Cristo's reply, "man is but an ugly caterpillar for him who studies him through a solar microscope; but you said, I think, that I had nothing else to do. Now, really, let me ask, sir, have you? — do you believe you have anything to do? or to speak in plain terms, do you really think that what you do deserves being called anything?

Mastery of language affords one remarkable opportunities.

It is not the tree that forsakes the flower, but the flower that forsakes the tree.

Only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss.

(...) the tree forsakes not the flower: the flower falls from the tree.