nothing is so horrifying as the possibility of existing simply because we do not know how to die.
Madame de StaelI never was able to believe in the existence of next year except as in a metaphysical notion.
Madame de Stael[On Russia:] In every way, there is something gigantic about this people: ordinary dimensions have no applications whatever to it. I do not mean by this that true greatness and stability are never met with; but their boldness, their imaginativeness knows no bounds. With them everything is colossal rather than well-proportioned, audacious rather than well-considered, and if they do not attain their goals, it is because they exceed them.
Madame de Stael