The man of genius is he and he alone who finds such joy in his art that he will work at it come hell or high water.

I used to think of deathlike I suppose soldiers think of it: it was a possible thing that I could well avoid by my skill.

On a cold winter morning a cigar fortifies the soul.

But, if I sample this pleasure so prudently and circumspectly, it will no longer be a pleasure.

Sometimes the impact of Mozart's music is so immediate that the vision in the mind remains blurred and incomplete, while the soul seems to be directly invaded, drenched in wave upon wave of melancholy.

Never had he found himself so close to those terrible weapons of feminine artillery.

Why not make an end of it all?... My life is a succession of griefs and bitter feelings.... What is death?... A very small matter,when all is said; only a fool would be concerned about it.