I have but one passion: to enlighten those who have been kept in the dark, in the name of humanity which has suffered so much and is entitled to happiness. My fiery protest is simply the cry of my very soul.

Why is it that my heart is so touched whenever I meet a dog lost in our noisy streets? Why do I feel such anguished pity when I see one of these creatures coming and going, sniffing everyone, frightened, despairing of even finding its master?

Has science ever retreated? No! It is Catholicism which has always retreated before her, and will always be forced to retreat.

An entire lifetime would not be long enough for you to exhaust the glance of the young harvest-girl.

What will be the death of me are buillabaisses, food spiced with pimiento, shellfish, and a load of exquisite rubbish which I eat in disproportionate quantities.

The vague torment of ... ambition.

If I cannot overwhelm with my quality, I will overwhelm with my quantity.