A happy memory is perhaps on this earth truer than happiness itself.

Vanity and dignity are incompatible with each other; vain women are almost sure to be vulnerable.

If love is a play, this play, as old as the world, fiasco or not, it is, all in all, the least bad thing that has so far been found. The roles are trite, I admit, but if the play had no value the whole universe wouldn’t know it by heart

The most despairing songs are the most beautiful, and I know some immortal ones that are pure tears.

Take love as a sober man takes wine; do not become a drunkard. If your mistress is sincere and faithful, love her for that; but if she is not, if she is merely young and beautiful, love her for that; if she is agreeable and spirituelle, love her for that; if she is none of these things but merely loves you, love her for that. Love does not come to us every day.

Nothing is a sin when you obey the orders of a priest

Look at the sun! It’s dry, it’s dead, it needs a drink, it wants blood! And I’ll give it blood!