A man who leaves memoirs, whether well or badly written, provided they
be sincere, renders a service to future psychologists and writers, giving them not only a faithful picture, but likewise human documents that may be relied upon.
My jests do not prevent me from thinking at times that in truth there is only one deity, eternal, creative, all-powerful, Venus Genetrix. She brings souls together; she unites bodies and things.
Eros called the world out of chaos. Whether he did well is another question; but, since he did so, we should recognize his might...
One may not believe in our gods, but it is possible to love them...
I know that even the meanest person has still at his disposition high-sounding words wherewith to mask his real character.
The greatest genius assimilates unconsciously the best with which it comes in contact, and by a subtle chemistry of its own makes new combinations.
I love her now beyond all words; she sees it, — she reads it in my eyes, and in my whole manner towards her.
There is within us a moral instinct which forbids us to rejoice at the death of even an enemy.
Whoso loves beauty is unable for that very reason to love deformity.