You can calculate the worth of a man by the number of his enemies, and the importance of a work of art by the harm that is spoken of it.

Everyone, either from modesty or egotism, hides away the best and most delicate of his soul’s possessions; to gain the esteem of others, we must only ever show our ugliest sides; this is how we keep ourselves on the common level

She was the amoureuse of all the novels, the heroine of all the plays, the vague “she” of all the poetry books.

There comes a point at which you stop writing and think all the more

I know nothing more noble than the contemplation of the world.

Emma was no asleep, she was pretending to be asleep; and, while he was dozing off at her side, she lay awake, dreaming other dreams.

To be simple is no small matter.