The first characteristic of Rossini's music is speed - a speed which removes from the soul all the sombre emotions that are so powerfully evoked within us by the slow strains in Mozart. I find also in Rossini a cool freshness, which, measure by measure, makes us smile with delight.

Faith, I am no such fool; everyone for himself in this desert of selfishness which is called life.

A woman of generous character will sacrifice her life a thousand times over for her lover, but will break with him for ever over a question of pride.

A good book is an event in my life.

Every true passion thinks only of itself.

It is better to have a prosaic husband and to take a romantic lover.

She had caprices of a marvellous unexpectedness, and how is any one to imitate a caprice?