197 Quotes by Henri-Frédéric Amiel

I do not deny the rights of democracy, but I have no illusions as to the uses that will be made of those rights so long as wisdom is rare and pride abundant.

What governs men is the fear of truth.

In every loving woman there is a priestess of the past – a pious guardian of some affection, of which the object has disappeared.

A man must be able to cut a knot, for everything cannot be untied; he must know how to disengage what is essential from the detail in which it is enwrapped, for everything cannot be equally considered; in a word, he must be able to simplify his duties, his business and his life.

So long as a person is capable of self-renewal they are a living being. -Henri.

Happiness gives us the energy which is the basis of health.

Nothing finite is true, is interesting, is worthy to fix my attention. All that is particular is exclusive, and all that is exclusive repels me.

Analysis kills spontaneity.

Almost everything comes from almost nothing.