Every man who is truly a man must learn to be alone in the midst of all others, and if need be against all others. - Romain Rolland

When Christophe at last made up his mind to go to bed, chilled in body and soul, he heard the window below him shut. And, as he lay, he thought sadly that it is cruel for the poor to dwell on the past, for they have no right to have a past, like the rich: they have no home, no corner of the earth wherein to house their memories: their joys, their sorrows, all their days, are scattered in the wind.

پس از ده سال تنهائی، اعصابش تمددی می‌یافت. این نامه برای قلبش که تشنه‌ی محبت بود مژده‌ی رستاخیز می‌آورد. محبت! .. گمان می‌کرد که دیگر از آن دست شسته‌ است؛ و ناچار یاد گرفته‌ بود که از آن چشم بپوشد! اما امروز حس می‌کرد چه‌قدر بدان نیاز داشت، و چه مایه عشق در وجودش انباشته شده‌بود.

No one ever reads a book. He reads himself through books, either to discover or to control himself.