Life is what our character makes it. We fashion it, as a snail does its shell. A man can say: I never made a fortune because it is not in my character to be rich.

The only man who is really free is the one who can turn down an invitation to dinner without giving an excuse.

Man who waits for roast duck to fly into mouth must wait very, very long time.

The truly free man is he who can decline a dinner invitation without giving an excuse.

Clarity is the politeness of the man of letters.

Whenever I have talked to anyone at too great length, I am like a man who has drunk too much, and ashamed, doesn't know where to put himself.

Our dream dashes itself against the great mystery like a wasp against a window pane. Less merciful than man, God never opens the window.

It is more difficult to be an honorable man for a week than to be a hero for fifteen minutes.