It was one of those hot, silent nights, when people sit at windows listening for the thunder which they know will shortly break; when they recall dismal tales of hurricanes and earthquakes; and of lonely travellers on open plains, and lonely ships at sea, struck by lightning.

A man is lucky if he is the first love of a woman. A woman is lucky if she is the last love of a man.

Philosophers are only men in armor after all.

My meaning is, that no man can expect his children to respect what he degrades.

When the moon shines very brilliantly, a solitude and stillness seem to proceed from her that influence even crowded places full of life.

You know what I am going to say. I love you. What other men may mean when they use that expression, I cannot tell; what I mean is, that I am under the influence of some tremendous attraction which I have resisted in vain, and which overmasters me.

Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own.