What thwarts us and demands of us the greatest effort is also what can teach us most.

Of some forty families I have been able to observe, I know hardly four in which the parents do not act in such a way that nothing would be more desirable for the child than to escape their influence.

Christianity, above all, consoles; but there are naturally happy souls who do not need consolation. Consequently Christianity begins by making such souls unhappy, for otherwise it would have no power over them.

Life never presents us with anything which may not be looked upon as a fresh starting point, no less than as a termination.

I believe that in every circumstance I have been able to see rather clearly the most advantageous course I could follow, which is very rarely the one I did follow.

If a young writer can refrain from writing, he shouldn’t hesitate to do so.

It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves - in finding themselves.