The heart changes...but we learn of it only from reading or by imagination; for in reality its alteration, like that of certain natural phenomena, is so gradual that, even if we are able to distinguish, successively, each of its different states, we are still spared the actual sensation of change.

I had come in time to learn that it was a mistake to smile a friendly smile when somebody made a fool of me.

I do my intellectual work inside myself, and once I am with my fellow creatures it is more or less a matter of indifference to me whether or not they are intelligent as long as they are kind, sincere, etc.

Like everybody who is not in love, he thought one chose the person to be loved after endless deliberations and on the basis of particular qualities or advantages.

Love is a reciprocal torture.

It is often hard to bear the tears that we ourselves have caused.

We do not succeed in changing things according to our desire, but gradually our desire changes.