The day that a woman who is passing before you sheds a light upon you as she goes, you are lost, you love. You have then but one thing to do: to think of her so earnestly that she will be compelled to think of you.

He had, they said, tasted in succession all the apples of the tree of knowledge, and, whether from hunger or disgust, had ended by tasting the forbidden fruit.

[T]he small is great, the great is small; all is in equilibrium in necessity.

Let us fear the worst, but work with faith; the best will always take care of itself.

Every bad institution of this world ends by suicide.

Kings are for nations in their swaddling-clothes: France has attained her majority.

God will bless you,' said he, 'you are an angel since you take care of the flowers.' 'No,' she replied. 'I am the devil, but that's all the same to me.