The individual never asserts himself more than when he forgets himself.

Our judgements about things vary according to the time left us to live -that we think is left us to live.

Solitude is bearable only with God.

I have never produced anything good except by a long succession of slight efforts.

From the satisfaction of desire there may arise, accompanying joy and as it were sheltering behind it, something not unlike despair.

The true hypocrite is the one who ceases to perceive his deception, the one who lies with sincerity.

The truth is, I hoped the cure would dislike me. I tried to think of disagreeable things to say to him -- I could hit on nothing that wasn't charming. It's wonderful how hard I find it not to be fascinating.