...one of the traits of genius is not to drag its thought through the rut worn by vulgar minds.

Now that the steam engine rules the world, a title is an absurdity, still I am all dressed up in this title. It will crush me if Ido not support it. The title attracts attention to myself.

Love is like a fever which comes and goes quite independently of the will. ... there are no age limits for love.

I think being condemned to death is the only real distinction," said Mathilde. "It is the only thing which cannot be bought.

In our calling, we have to choose; we must make our fortune either in this world or in the next, there is no middle way.

Chélan had acted as imprudently for Julien as he had for himself. He had given him the habit of reasoning correctly, and of not being put off by empty words, but he had neglected to tell him that this habit was a crime in the person of no importance, since every piece of logical reasoning is offensive.

I have a bad memory for facts.