Winter changes into stone the water of heaven and the heart of man.

People generally will soon understand that writers should be judged, not according to rules and species, which are contrary to nature and art, but according to the immutable principles of the art of composition, and the special laws of their individual temperaments.

Great blunders are often made, like large ropes, of a multitude of fibres.

There are people who observe the rules of honor as one observes the stars, from a great distance.

Every step which the intelligence of Europe has taken has been in spite of the clerical party.

Love is like a tree, it grows of its own accord, it puts down deep roots into our whole being.

Every good quality runs into a defect; economy borders on avarice, the generous are not far from the prodigal, the brave man is close to the bully; he who is very pious is slightly sanctimonious; there are just as many vices to virtue as there are holes in the mantle of Diogenes.