Peace is the virtue of civilization. War is its crime.

Of all the things that God has made, the human heart is the one which sheds the most light, alas! and the most darkness.

The most beautiful of altars, he said, is the soul of an unhappy creature consoled and thankfing God.

No one ever keeps a secret so well as a child.

...mothers are often fondest of the child which has caused them the greatest pain.

There have been in this century only one great man and one great thing: Napoleon and liberty. For want of the great man, let us have the great thing.

To see so much misery everywhere, I suspect that God is not rich. He keeps up appearances, it is true, but I feel the pinch. He gives a revolution as a merchant, whose credit is low, gives a ball.