Good writers have two things in common: they prefer to be understood rather than admired; and they do not write for knowing and over-acute readers.

Nothing ever succeeds which exuberant spirits have not helped to produce.

The grand style follows suit with all great passion. It disdains to please, it forgets to persuade. It commands. It wills.

I devote myself to what I love the most, and for this very reason I hesitate to designate it with lofty words: I do not want to risk believing that it is a sublime compulsion, a law, which I obey: I love what I love the most too much to wish to appear to it as one compelled.

Dreadful experiences raise the question whether he who experiences them, is not something dreadful also.

When thou goest to woman, take thy whip.

Life is that which must overcome itself again and again