In society every man is taken for what he gives himself out to be; but he must give himself out to be something. Better to be slightly disagreeable than altogether insignificant.

Personality is everything in art and poetry.

Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words.

Napoleon for the sake of a good name broke in pieces half the world.

nothing puts me so completely out of patience as the utterance of a wretched commonplace when I am talking from my inmost heart.

Who is the most sensible person? The one who finds what is to their own advantage in all that happens to them.

I had toward the poetic art a peculiar relation which was only practical after I had cherished in my mind for a long time a subject which possessed me, a model which inspired me, a predecessor who attracted me, until at length, after I had molded it