The only basis for living is believing in life, loving it, and applying the whole force of one's intellect to know it better.
Emile ZolaEvery wave is a water sprite who swims in the current, each current is a path which snakes towards my palace, and my palace is fluidly built at the bottom of the lake, in the triangle of earth, fire and water.
Emile ZolaThe word realist means nothing to me, because I would subordinate reality to temperament. Give me what is true and I applaud; but give me what is individual and alive and I applaud even more.
Emile Zola