For a long time now my heart has had its shutters closed, its steps deserted, formerly a tumultuous hotel, but now empty and echoing like a great empty tomb.

The more humanity advances, the more it is degraded.

Put all your rage and madness into your work and live as orderly a life as possible.

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.

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

For a long time now my heart has had its shutters closed, its steps deserted, formerly a tumultuous hotel, but now empty and echoing like a great empty tomb.

Madame Aubain's servant Felicite was the envy of the ladies of Pont-l'Eveque for half a century.