There is no such thing as “natural law”: this expression is nothing but old nonsense… Prior to laws, what is natural is only the strength of the lion, or the need of the creature suffering from hunger or cold, in short, need.
STENDHALLove is like fever; it comes and goes without the will having any part of the process.
More Stendhal Quotes
-
-
If you want to be witty, work on your character and say what you think on every occasion.
STENDHAL -
A novel is a mirror which passes over a highway. Sometimes it reflects to your eyes the blue of the skies, at others the churned-up mud of the road.
STENDHAL -
The man of genius is he and he alone who finds such joy in his art that he will work at it come hell or high water.
STENDHAL -
The first qualification for a historian is to have no ability to invent.
STENDHAL -
There are as many styles of beauty as there are visions of happiness.
STENDHAL -
If you think of paying court to the men in power, your eternal ruin is assured.
STENDHAL -
I call “crystallization” that action of the mind that discovers fresh perfections in its beloved at every turn of events.
STENDHAL -
Signs cannot be represented, in a spy’s report, so damningly as words.
STENDHAL -
Napoleon was indeed the man sent by God to help the youth of France! Who is to take his place?
STENDHAL -
In matters of sentiment, the public has very crude ideas; and the most shocking fault of women is that they make the public the supreme judge of their lives.
STENDHAL -
A novel is a mirror carried along a main road.
STENDHAL -
In our calling, we have to choose; we must make our fortune either in this world or in the next, there is no middle way.
STENDHAL -
All religions are founded on the fear of the many and the cleverness of the few.
STENDHAL -
What is really beautiful must always be true.
STENDHAL -
Only great minds can afford a simple style.
STENDHAL