Anatole France1844–1924When a thing has been said and well said, have no scruple: take it and copy it.
- The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard (1881), Pt. II, ch. 4
To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.
Discours de réception, Séance De L’académie Française (introductory speech at a session of the French Academy), 24th December 1896, on Ferdinand de Lesseps’ work on the Suez Canal.- The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard (1881), Pt. II, ch. 4
- The Literary Life (1888-1892), Series I: Sérénus
- Le Jardin d’Épicure [The Garden of Epicurus] (1894)
- La Bûche [The Log] (November 30, 1859)
- Les Dieux Ont Soif [The Gods Are Thirsty] (1912), ch. XV
- The Literary Life (1888-1892), Series III: Rabelais
It is human nature to think wisely and to act in an absurd fashion.
Le livre de mon ami (1885): Le livre de Pierre, part I, ch. II: La dame en blancThat man is prudent who neither hopes nor fears anything from the uncertain events of the future.
L’Étui de nacre: Le Procurateur de Judée [Mother of Pearl: The Procurator of Judea] (1892)In every well-governed state, wealth is a sacred thing; in democracies it is the only sacred thing.
L’Île des Pingouins [Penguin Island] (1908), Book VI: Les Temps Modernes, Ch. II: Pyrot- The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard (1881), Pt. II, ch. 2
I prefer the folly of enthusiasm to the wisdom of indifference.
The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard (1881), Pt. II, ch. 4It is well for the heart to be naive and for the mind not to be.
The Literary Life (1888-1892), Series II: M. Jules Lemaître
