“To lose one parent, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.”

The truth is rarely pure and never simple.

No good deed goes unpunished.

Indeed I have always been of the opinion that hard work is simply the refuge of people who have nothing to do.

I think God, in creating man, somewhat overestimated his ability.

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does, and that is his.

Society often forgives the criminal; it never forgives the dreamer.

Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.

Crying is for plain women. Pretty women go shopping.

An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.

The mystery of love is greater than the mystery of death.

The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.

Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.

Humanity takes itself too seriously. It is the world’s original sin. If the cave-man had known how to laugh, History would have been different.

If you are not long, I will wait for you all my life.

With freedom, flowers, books, and the moon, who could not be perfectly happy?

Oh darling, if the universe would need the love of us careless humans to keep its restless heart alive the sky would be full of dead stars.

I walked into my own book, seeking peace. It was night, and I made a careless movement inside the dream; I turned too brusquely the corner and I bruised myself against my madness.

Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.