Top 15 Alain Quotes

Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it is the only one you have.

When I was a young man I vowed never to marry until I found the ideal woman. Well, I found her but, alas, she was waiting for the ideal man.

We must stand firm between two kinds of madness: the belief that we can do anything; and the belief that we can do nothing.

Penser, c'est aller d'erreur en erreur.

« Je ne crois pas qu'avoir étudié soit une si grande chose si l'on n'étudie plus. »

Ma grande objection à l’argent, c’est que l’argent est bête.

Affection: Tout ce qui, dans nos pensées, dans nos projets, dans nos résolutions est marqué d'un degré quelconque d'amour ou de haine, de joie ou de tristesse.

When the pack is out hunting, the dogs do not fight among themselves.

It is very true that we ought to think of the happiness of others; but it is not often enough said that the best thing we can do for those who love us is to be happy ourselves.

Untie, liberate, and do not be afraid. He who is free is disarmed.

Each one gave the other the only assistance one man can expect from another: that his friend support him and ask only that he remain himself. It is no great accomplishment to take people as they are, and we must always do so eventually, but to wish them to be as they are, that is a genuine love.

Happiness is a reward that comes to those that have not looked for it.

Never be insolent unless it is a deliberate decision, and only toward a man more powerful than yourself.

Obligation spoils everything.

Certainly thinking is pleasant, but the pleasure of thinking must be subordinated to the art of making decisions.