It is of very little use in trying to be dignified, if dignity is no part of your character.

False friends are like our shadow, keeping close to us while we walk in the sunshine, but leaving us the instant we cross into the shade.

Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.

Our first and last love is self-love.

The scope of an intellect is not to be measured with a tape-string, or a character deciphered from the shape or length of a nose.

It is the passion that is in a kiss that gives to it its sweetness; it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it.

We fear things in proportion to our ignorance of them.

The opinions of the misanthropical rest upon this very partial basis, that they adopt the bad faith of a few as evidence of the worthlessness of all.

The lively and mercurial are as open books, with the leaves turned down at the notable passages. Their souls sit at the windows of their eyes, seeing and to be seen.

Tears are nature's lotion for the eyes. The eyes see better for being washed by them.

The passions are like fire, useful in a thousand ways and dangerous only in one, through their excess.

Much can be inferred about a man from his mistress: in her one beholds his weaknesses and his dreams.

We are homesick for places, we are reminded of places, it is the sounds and smells and sights of places which haunt us and against which we often measure our present.

I live way below my means.

Once any of us conclude- 'That's just the way I am,' we give up our ability to change.

Shaking the past, making my break, taking control, that's what it takes.

I don't know about you, but I practice a disorganized religion. I belong to an unholy disorder. We call ourselves "Our Lady of Perpetual Astonishment."

I have a flat in Paris and go there a lot, but the Eurostar's much more civilised than flying.

Getting recognized is sort of weird anyway. I'm 17 now. You get the odd person sort of shouting out "Ron!" or something. And my hair at the moment sort of stands out a bit, can't really avoid it.

You would make a great teacher. (Grace) Commander to teacher. Why not call me Cato the Elder, and really insult me while you’re at it? (Julian)

The way upward from inertia to illumination passes through the sphere of action.