The convent, which belongs to the West as it does to the East, to antiquity as it does to the present time, to Buddhism and Muhammadanism as it does to Christianity, is one of the optical devices whereby man gains a glimpse of infinity.

When we are at the end of life, to die means to go away; when we are at the beginning, to go away means to die.

He who is not master of his own thoughts is not accountable for his own deeds.

One drop of wine is enough to redden a whole glass of water.

A republic may be called the climate of civilization.

At a certain depth of distress, the poor, in their stupor, groan no longer over evil, and are no longer thankful for good.

When grace combines with wrinkles, it is admirable. There is an indescribable light of dawn about intensely happy old age. . . . The young person is handsome, but the old, superb.