223 Quotes by Stendhal

Together with his fiery soul, Julien possessed one of those stunning memories so often linked to stupidity.

Courage was the fundamental quality in her character. Nothing was capable of giving her any excitement and of curing her of an ever-present tendency to boredom, but the idea that she was playing heads or tails with her whole existence.

Misery destroys judgment.

Nici nu ar fi numit iubire decat acel sentiment eroic ce se putea intalni in Franta lui Henric al III-lea si Bassompierre, sentiment care nu ceda in fata obstacolelor, ba, departe de asa ceva, dadea nastere unor lucruri marete.

God’s only excuse is that he does not exist.

Love of the head has doubtless more intelligence than true love, but it only has moments of enthusiasm. It knows itself too well, it sits in judgement on itself incessantly; far from distracting thought, it is made by sheer force of thought.

Old age is nothing but the absence of madness, the loss of illusion and passion.

When one has just seen the woman one loves, the sight of every other woman damages the vision and physically hurts the eyes;.

The first instrument of a people’s genius is its language.