إن العذر الوحيد لله هو كونه غير موجود - Stendhal

Why not make an end of it all? he asked himself. Why this obstinate resistance to the fate that is crushing me? It is all very well my forming what are apparently the most reasonable forms of conduct, my life is a succession of griefs and bitter feelings. This month is no better than the last; this year is no better than last year. Why this obstinate determination to go on living? Can I be wanting in firmness? What is death? he asked himself, opening his case of pistols and examining them. A very small matter, when all is said; only a fool would be concerned about it.

La politique au milieu des intérêts d'imagination, c'est un coup de pistolet au milieu d'un concert.

Il a demandé ma dépouille [...]. Il ne m'est pas plus venu dans l'idée de me fâcher ou de moins le vénérer qu'il me vient de blasphémer contre le soleil lorsqu'il se couvre d'un nuage.