The most beautiful lives, to my mind, are those that conform to the common human pattern, with order, but without miracle and without eccentricity.

Those who have compared our life to a dream were right... we were sleeping wake, and waking sleep.

I had rather complain of ill-fortune than be ashamed of victory.

Intoxication is calculated to put heart into the elderly and give them delight in dancing.

I, who am king of the matter I treat, and who owe an accounting for it to no one, do not for all that believe myself in all I write. I often hazard sallies of my mind which I mistrust.

How many things we held yesterday as articles of faith which today we tell as fables.

The world always looks straights ahead; as for me, I turn my gaze inward, I fix it there and keep it busy. Everyone looks in front of him: as for me, I look inside me: I have no business but with myself; I continually observe myself, I take stock of myself, I taste myself. Others...they always go forward; as for me, I roll about in myself.