Remember that it is nothing to do your duty, that is demanded of you and is no more meritorious than to wash your hands when they are dirty; the only thing that counts is the love of duty; when love and duty are one, then grace is in you and you will enjoy a happiness which passes all understanding.

A mother only does her children harm if she makes them the only concern of her life.

The important thing was to love rather than to be loved.

The great critic … must be a philosopher, for from philosophy he will learn serenity, impartiality, and the transitoriness of human things.

I'd sooner be smashed into a mangled pulp by a bus when we cross the street than look forward to a life like yours.

Men have ascribed to God imperfections that they would deplore in themselves.

You know what the critics are. If you tell the truth they only say you're cynical and it does an author no good to get a reputation for cynicism.