Where no interest is takes in science, literature and liberal pursuits, mere facts and insignificant criticisms necessarily become the themes of discourse; and minds, strangers alike to activity and meditation, become so limited as to render all intercourse with them at once tasteless and oppressive.

One must, so long as there is any life left, back up the character of one's life.

In women's destiny everything goes downhill except for thought, whose immortal nature it is to keep constantly rising.

The universe is in France; outside it, there is nothing.

One must choose in life between boredom and suffering.

[Moralistic] novels are at the same disadvantage as teachers: children never believe them, because they make everything that happens relate to the lesson at hand.

Men err from selfishness; women because they are weak.