Jean Prouvaire was timid only in repose. Once excited, he burst forth, a sort of mirth accentuated his enthusiasm, and he was at once both laughing and lyric.

Now, one cannot read nonsense with impunity.

The sewer is the conscience of the city.

I'd rather be hissed at for a good verse, than applauded for a bad one.

What a grand thing, to be loved! What a grander thing still, to love!

From a political point of view, there is but one principle, the sovereignty of man over himself. This sovereignty of myself over myself is called Liberty

Diamonds are to be found only in the darkness of the earth, and truth in the darkness of the mind.