A cigar numbs sorrow and fills the solitary hours with a million gracious images.

... everyone's free to embark on either a great clipper or a little fishing boat. An artist is an explorer who oughtn't to shrink from anything: it doesn't matter whether he goes to the left or the right -- his goal sanctifies all.

There are no more thorough prudes than those who have some little secret to hide.

A child motivated by competitive ideals will grow into a man without conscience, shame, or true dignity.

I loved [fairy stories] so, and my mother weighed down by grief had given up telling me them. At Nohant I found Mmes. d'Ardony's and Perrault's tales in old editions which became my chief joy for five or six years ... I've never read them since, but I could tell each tale straight through, and I don't think anything in all one's intellecutal life can be compared to these delights of imagination.

It is always the best friends who are neglected and ignored.

Love without reverence and enthusiasm is only friendship.