The more you learn, the less you fear. "Learn" not in the sense of academic study, but in the practical understanding of life.

What is taken away is greater than the sum of what was there. This may not be mathematically possible; but it is emotionally possible.

The land of embarrassment and breakfast.

Remember the botched brothel-visit in L’Education sentimentale and remember its lesson. Do not participate: happiness lies in the imagination, not the act. Pleasure is found first in anticipation, later in memory.

Most people, in my opinion, steal much of what they are. If they didn't what poor items they would be.

When you are writing fiction your task is to reflect the fullest complications of the world

Perhaps love is essential because it's unnecessary.