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.

It is from cowardice and not from want of enlightenment that we do not read in our own hearts.

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.

A novel is like a bow, and the violin that produces the sound is the reader's soul.

Napoleon was indeed the man sent by God to help the youth of France! Who is to take his place?

God's only excuse is that he does not exist.

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