The animal is ignorant of the fact that he knows. The man is aware of the fact that he is ignorant.

If he had had all Peru in his pocket, he would certainly have given it to this dancer; but Gringoire had not Peru in his pocket; and besides, America was not yet discovered. (p. 66)

When a woman is talking to you, listen to what she says with her eyes.

It is ourselves we have to fear. Prejudice is the real robber, and vice the real murderer.

The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.

Excitement is not enjoyment: in calmness lies true pleasure. The most precious wines are sipped, not bolted at a swallow.

Brothers, he who dies here dies in the radiance of the future, and we are entering a tomb all flooded with the dawn.