Sublime upon sublime scarcely presents a contrast, and we need a little rest from everything, even the beautiful.

Freedom in art, freedom in society, this is the double goal towards which all consistent and logical minds must strive.

Do not forget, do not ever forget, that you have promised me to use the money to make yourself an honest man.' Valjean, who did not recall having made any promise, was silent. The bishop had spoken the words slowly and deliberately. He concluded with a solemn emphasis: Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to what is evil but to what is good. I have bought your soul to save it from black thoughts and the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God.

The word Gothic, in the sense in which it is generally employed, is wholly unsuitable, but wholly consecrated. Hence we accept it and we adopt it, like all the rest of the world, to characterize the architecture of the second half of the Middle Ages, where the ogive is the principle which succeeds the architecture of the first period, of which the semi-circle is the father.

Have but luck, and you will have the rest; be fortunate, and you will be thought great.

Initiative is doing the right thing without being told.

Whenever a man's friends begin to compliment him about looking young, he may be sure that they think he is growing old.