Death is as unexpected in his caprice as a courtesan in her disdain; but death is truer – Death has never forsaken any man - Honoré de Balzac

What place indeed is there in the shallow petty frivolous thing called society for noble thoughts and feelings?

History is of two kinds—there is the official history taught in schools, a lying compilation ad usum delphini; and there is the secret history which deals with the real causes of events—a scandalous chronicle.

I declare, on my soul and conscience, that the attainment of power, or of a great name in literature, seemed to me an easier victory than a success with some young, witty, and gracious lady of high degree.