A person who calls facts absurdities will often be surprised.

Society is always taken by surprise at any new example of common sense.

It is a matter for even more astonishment in the case of those who,

War always takes you by surprise.

Translation: The husband who decides to surprise his wife is often very much surprised himself.

Machines take me by surprise with great frequency.

Great boldness is seldom without some absurdity.

All circumstances taken together, the French Revolution is the most astonishing that has hitherto happened on the world. The most wonderful things are brought about in many instances by means the most absurd and ridiculous; in the most ridiculous modes; and, apparently, by the most contemptible instruments. Everything seems out of nature in this strange chaos of levity and ferocity, and of all sorts of crimes jumbled together with all sorts of follies. In viewing this monstrous tragicomic scene, the most opposite passions necessarily succeed, and sometimes mix with each other in the mind; alternate contempt and indignation; alternate laughter and tears; alternate scorn and horror.

Whoever can surprise well must conquer

I now cherish the ability to be surprised by things that come up unexpectedly, by beautiful things and new perspectives that emerge out of the blue, even in the most conventional and repetitive settings. The ability to be surprised surprises me.

I'm all amazed, befuddled, and beflustered!

You create novelty by violating the target’s expectations in a pleasing way.

It's not how the world is, but that it is, that is cause for astonishment.

A bold act requires a high degree of confidence. People who are the targets of an audacious act, or who witness it, cannot help but believe that such confidence is real and justified. They respond instinctively by backing up, by getting out of the way, or by following the confident person. A bold act can put people on their heels and eliminate obstacles. In this way, it creates its own favorable circumstances.