People weighed down with troubles do not look back; they know only too well that misfortune stalks them.

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)

Despots play their part in the works of thinkers. Fettered words are terrible words. The writer doubles and trebles the power of his writing when a ruler imposes silence on the people. Something emerges from that enforced silence, a mysterious fullness which filters through and becomes steely in the thought.

He would give all of his clothes to his servant, admonishing him NOT to return them until he had completed his day's work.

She had had sweet dreams, which possibly arose from the fact that her little bed was very white.

Since we shall love each other, I shall be great and you shall be rich.

Daring is the price of progress. All splendid conquests are the prize of boldness, more or less.