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.

Talent is a long patience, and originality an effort of will and intense observation.

On certain occasions art can shake very ordinary spirits, and whole worlds can be revealed by its clumsiest interpreters.

When you reduce a woman to writing, she makes you think of a thousand other women

Success is a consequence and must not be a goal. I've never sought it (though I desire it) and seek it less and less.

Come, let’s be calm: no one incapable of restraint was ever a writer.

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