The bad novelist constructs his characters; he directs them and makes them speak. The true novelist listens to them and watches them act; he hears their voices even before he knows them.

It is with fine sentiments that bad literature is made. Descend to the bottom of the well if you wish to see the stars.

Know thyself. A maxim as pernicious as it is ugly. Whoever studies himself arrest his own development. A caterpillar who seeks to know himself would never become a butterfly.

Drunkenness is never anything but a substitute for happiness.

We should enjoy this summer, flower by flower, as if it were to be the last one we’ll see.

Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens we have to keep going back and beginning all over again.

Complete possession is proved only by giving. All you are unable to give possesses you.