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Authors:
Honore de Balzac Quotes

Honore de Balzac quotes

French Novelist May 20, 1799 – August 18, 1850

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Quotes

What leads me to accredit the truth of what great Savonati has conveyed to us is the way in which he conscientiously tells us everything. In novels written nowadays, writers pay little heed to their heroes' stomachs. They send them off on errands, embroil them in adventures which leave them as breathless as the reader, and yet they are never hungry. In this respect, they bear little resemblance to the author. In my opinion, this, more than anything else, serves to discredit this type of work.... Honore de Balzac
Honore de Balzac quote: "Ideas devour the ages as men are devoured by their passions...."
Ideas devour the ages as men are devoured by their passions. When man is cured, human nature will cure itself perhaps. Honore de Balzac
As soon as coffee is in your stomach, there is a general commotion. Ideas begin to move…similes arise, the paper is covered. Coffee is your ally and writing ceases to be a struggle. Honore de Balzac
Honore de Balzac quote: "What is art? Nature concentrated."
What is art? Nature concentrated. Honore de Balzac
It is easier to be a lover than a husband for the simple reason that it is more difficult to be witty every day than to say pretty things from time to time. Honore de Balzac
Holding this book in your hand, sinking back in your soft armchair, you will say to yourself: perhaps it will amuse me. And after you have read this story of great misfortunes, you will no doubt dine well, blaming the author for your own insensitivity, accusing him of wild exaggeration and flights of fancy. But rest assured: this tragedy is not a fiction. All is true. Honore de Balzac
The human heart may find here and there a resting-place short of the highest height of affection, but we seldom stop in the steep, downward slope of hatred. Honore de Balzac
Honore de Balzac quote: "Death unites as well as separates; it silences all paltry..."
Death unites as well as separates; it silences all paltry feeling. Honore de Balzac
Hortense was a wife; Valerie a mistress. Many men desire to have these two editions of the same work, although it is proof of deep inferiority in a man if he cannot make his wife his mistress. Seeking variety is a sign of impotence. Honore de Balzac
Perhaps it is only human nature to inflict suffering on anything that will endure suffering, whether by reason of its genuine humility, or indifference, or sheer helplessness. Honore de Balzac
Honore de Balzac quote: "Nature makes only dumb animals. We owe the fools to society."
Nature makes only dumb animals. We owe the fools to society. Honore de Balzac
Honore de Balzac quote: "Good befalls us while we sleep, sometimes."
Good befalls us while we sleep, sometimes. Honore de Balzac
Honore de Balzac quote: "A young bride is like a plucked flower; but a guilty wife is..."
A young bride is like a plucked flower; but a guilty wife is like a flower that had been walked over. Honore de Balzac
Here comes Mamma Vauquerr, fair as a starrr; and strung up like a bunch of carrots. Aren't we suffocating ourselves a wee bit?' he asked, placing a hand on the top of her corset. 'A bit of a crush in the vestibule, here, Mamma! If we start crying, there'll be an explosion. Never mind, I'll be there to collect the bits--just like an antiquary.' 'Now, there's the language of true French gallantry,' murmured Madame Vauquer in an aside to Madame Couture. Honore de Balzac
How did you get back?' asked Vautrin. 'I walked,' replied Eugene. 'I wouldn't like half-pleasures, myself,' observed the tempter. 'I'd want to go there in my own carriage, have my own box, and come back in comfort. All or nothing, that's my motto.' 'And a very good one,' said Madame Vauquer. Honore de Balzac

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