Poetry is a beautiful way of spoiling prose, and the laborious art of exchanging plain sense for harmony.

[Corneille] was inspired by Roman authors and Roman spirit, Racine with delicacy by the polished court of Louis XIV.

I have known men of valor cowards to their wives.

Serendipitous discoveries are made by chance, found without looking for them but possible only through a sharp vision and sagacity, ready to see the unexpected and never indulgent with the apparently unexplainable.

By deafness one gains in one respect more than one loses; one misses more nonsense than sense.

The best philosophy is to do one's duties, take the world as it comes, submit respectfully to one's lot; bless the goodness that has given us so much happiness with it.

History is a romance that is believed; romance, a history that is not believed.