Usually, it is man who attacks; as for me, I defend myself, and I often capitulate.

The Empress is legitimate, my cousin is Republican, Morny is Orleanist, I am a socialist; the only Bonapartist is Persigny, and he is mad.

In politics evils should be remedied not revenged.

This vice brings in one hundred million francs in taxes every year. I will certainly forbid it at once - as soon as you can name a virtue that brings in as much revenue.

He watched his feet, the only things that were keeping him from finding out if there really was a Kingdom of Heaven or not.

Never put off for tomorrow, what you can do today.

This is what I call participation in the world of ideas. That is what art-making is.

I'm my own person, and am trying to carve out a career on my own.

How like a mounting devil in the heart rules the unreined ambition.

The happiest life is that which constantly exercises and educates what is best in us.

The soul has neither beginning nor end [They] come into this world strengthened by the victories or weakened by the defeats of their previous lives

We are in our Self. We are not in the world.

What love commences can be finished by God alone.

Only the very rarest of princes can endure even a little criticism, and few of them can put up with even a pause in the adulation.