Happiness is a monstrosity! Punished are those who seek it.

You need a high degree of corruption or a very big heart to love absolutely everything

She was as sated with him as he was tired of her. Emma had rediscovered in adultery all the banality of marriage.

Here is true immorality: ignorance and stupidity; the devil is nothing but this. His name is Legion.

Remembering the ball became for Emma a daily occupation. Every time Wednesday came round, she told herself when she woke up: 'Ah! One week ago...two weeks ago...three weeks ago, I was there!' And, little by little, in her memory, the faces all blurred together; she forgot the tunes of the quadrilles; no longer could she so clearly picture the liveries and the rooms; some details disappeared, but the yearning remained.

Criticism occupies the lowest place in the literary hierarchy: as regards form, almost always; and as regards moral value, incontestably. It comes after rhyming games and acrostics, which at least require a certain inventiveness.

To be stupid, selfish, and have good health are three requirements for happiness, though if stupidity is lacking, all is lost.