The real significance of crime is in its being a breach of faith with the community of mankind.

Being a woman is a terribly difficult task, since it consists principally in dealing with men.

Yet, when one thinks of it, diplomacy without force is a but a rotten reed to lean upon.

Everything belonged to him. It made me hold my breath in expectation of hearing the wilderness burst into prodigious peal of laughter that would shake the fixed stars in their places.

A writing may be lost; a lie may be written; but what the eye has seen is truth and remains in the mind!

Truth of a modest sort I can promise you, and also sincerity. That complete, praiseworthy sincerity which, while it delivers one into the hands of one's enemies, is as likely as not to embroil one with one's friends.

Ah! These commercial interests -- spoiling the finest life under the sun. Why must the sea be used for trade -- and for war as well?...It would have been so much nicer just to sail about, with here and there a port and a bit of land to stretch one's legs on, buy a few books and get a change of cooking for a while.