Among even the happiest married couples there are always moments of regret.

A country is strong which consists of wealthy families, every member of whom is interested in defending a common treasure; it is weak when composed of scattered individuals, to whom it matters little whether they obey seven or one, a Russian or a Corsican, so long as each keeps his own plot of land, blind in their wretched egotism, to the fact that the day is coming when this too will be torn from them.

Materialism and spirituality are two pretty racquets with which charlatans in cap and gown make the same ball fly.

Passion is born deaf and dumb.

There is neither vice nor virtue, there are only circumstances.

Suffering predisposes the mind to devoutness; and most young girls, prompted by instinctive tenderness, lean towards mysticism, the obscurer side of religion.

Hatred like love feeds on the merest trifles.