Stendhal Quotes

I see but one rule: to be clear. If I am not clear, all my world crumbles to nothing.

Lussinge scoffed at my unbearable pride when I showed him my hatred [for Mr. de Jouy]; he concluded that no doubt Mr. de Jouy or Mr. Capenon had made a bloody critique of some of my writings. A critic that's mocked me inspires an entirely different feeling. I re-evaluate, every time I reread his critique, who is right between me or him.

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.

A good book is an event in my life.

Love is like a fever which comes and goes quite independently of the will

Les contemporains qui souffrent de certaines choses ne peuvent s'en souvenir qu'avec une horreur qui paralyse tout autre plaisir, même celui de lire un conte.

True love makes the thought of death frequent, easy, without terrors; it merely becomes the standard of comparison, the price one would pay for many things.

La seule excuse de Dieu c'est de ne pas exister.

O musculiță efemeră se naște la nouă dimineață, în lungile zile de vară, ca să moară la cinci seara; cum ar putea ea înțelege cuvântul noapte? Mai dă-i cinci ore de viață, și ea va vedea și va înțelege ce e noaptea.

Le jeune paysan ne voyait rien entre lui et les actions les plus héroïques, que le manque d'occasion
(partie I, ch. XII)

One can acquire everything in solitude — except character.

Revenir souvent ici (sur le lac de Côme) est comme une goutte de poison ; ça donne envie de ne jamais partir.

Un bon livre est un événement pour moi.

Asculta fermecată suspinele vântului în frunzișul des al teiului și ropotul rarelor picături care începuseră să cadă pe frunzele cel joase.

I became merry or rather I acquired the art of appearing so.