The most important quality of art and its aim is illusion; emotion, which is often obtained by certain sacrifices of poetic detail, is something else entirely and of an inferior order.

The great natures which are good, are above everything generous and don't begrudge the giving of themselves.

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

One day, I shall explode like an artillery shell and all my bits will be found on the writing table.

Our ignorance of history causes us to slander our own times.

Doubt … is an illness that comes from knowledge and leads to madness.

Me and my books in the same apartment, like a gherkin in its vinegar.