385 Quotes by Andre Gide

The truth is that as soon as we are no longer obliged to earn our living, we no longer know what to do with our life and recklessly squander it.

They establish distinctions and reserves which I cannot apply to myself, for I exist only as a whole; my only claim is to be natural, and the pleasure I feel in an action, I take as a sign that I ought to do it.

Vertu des humbles - acceptation; et cela leur va si bien, à certains, qu'on croit comprendre que leur vie est faite à la mesure de leur âme. Surtout ne pas les plaindre : leur état leur convient ; déplorable ! Ils ne s'aperçoivent plus de la médiocrité, sitôt que ce n'est plus une médiocrité de fortune.

Si le grain de blé qui est tombé en terre ne meurt, il reste seul ; mais, s'il meurt, il porte beaucoup de fruit. Celui qui aime sa vie la perdra, et celui qui hait sa vie dans ce monde la conservera pour la vie éternelle.

Be faithful to that which exists nowhere but in yourself- and thus make yourself indispensable.

Those who have eyes…do not know their happiness.

I cannot," said he, "expect everyone to have my virtues. It's good enough to meet with my vices...

Better to be silent and thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.

To read a writer is for me not merely to get an idea of what he says, but to go off with him, and travel in his company.