When Louis XIV assumed the reins of government France suddenly and wonderfully came to her maturity; it was as if the whole nation had burst into splendid flower.

A writer’s promise is like a tiger’s smile

During this earlier period of his activity Voltaire seems to have been trying - half unconsciously, perhaps - to discover and to express the fundamental quality of his genius.

The stability and peace which seemed to be so firmly established by the brilliant monarchy of Francis I vanished with the terrible outbreak of the Wars of Religion.

If this is dying, I don't think much of it.

The amateur is very rare in French literature - as rare as he is common in our own.

It is perhaps as difficult to write a good life as to live one.