The world is a great ocean, upon which we encounter more tempestuous storms than calms.

Science has not yet taught us if madness is or is not the sublimity of the intelligence.

I hold that a long poem does not exist. I maintain that the phrase, "a long poem," is simply a flat contradiction in terms.

Imperceptibly the love of these discords grew upon me as my love of music grew stronger.

The pioneers and missionaries of religion have been the real cause of more trouble and war than all other classes of mankind.

Ceux qui revent eveilles ont conscience de 1000 choses qui echapent a ceux qui ne revent qu'endormis. The one who has day dream are aware of 1000 things that the one who dreams only when he sleeps will never understand. (it sounds better in french, I do what I can with my translation...)

...If you do not take it up with you in some way, I shall be under the necessity of breaking your head with this shovel