History has its truth; and so has legend hers.
Nothing awakens reminiscence like an aroma.
Whatever causes night in our souls may leave stars. Cimourdain was full of virtues and truth, but they shine out of a dark background.
There is something more terrible than a hell of suffering--a hell of boredom.
As for the bishop, the sight of the guillotine was a great shock to him, from which he recovered only slowly.
Beauty is as useful as the useful. More so, perhaps. (Le beau est aussi utile que l'utile. Plus peut-etre.)