We crave support in vanity, as we do in religion, and never forgive contradictions in that sphere.

Artists have no less talents than ever, their taste, their vision, their sentiment are often interesting; they are mighty in their independence and feeble only in their works.

In any close society it is more urgent to restrain others than to be free oneself. Hence the tendency for the central authority to absorb and supersede such as are local or delegated.

Rejection is a form of self-assertion. You have only to look back upon yourself as a person who hates this or that to discover what it is that you secretly love.

To turn events into ideas is the function of literature.

There is nothing sweeter than to be sympathized with.

Religion is the love of life in the consciousness of impotence.