Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the purpose of instruction. No, read in order to live.

Quote by Gustave Flaubert

Topics: Gustave Flaubert Quotes

Writing is a dog's life, but the only life worth living.

Writing is a dog's life, but the only life worth living.

Language is a cracked kettle on which we beat out tunes for bears to dance...

Language is a cracked kettle on which we beat out tunes for bears to dance...

Happiness is a monstrosity! Punished are those who seek it.

Happiness is a monstrosity! Punished are those who seek it.

Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it.

Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it.

Madame Bovary is myself.

Madame Bovary is myself.

The whole dream of democracy is to raise the proletarian to the level of stupidity...

The whole dream of democracy is to raise the proletarian to the level of stupidity...

Love is a springtime plant that perfumes everything with its hope, even the ruins to...

Love is a springtime plant that perfumes everything with its hope, even the ruins to...

The deplorable mania of doubt exhausts me. I doubt about everything, even my doubts.

The deplorable mania of doubt exhausts me. I doubt about everything, even my doubts.

The heart, like the stomach, wants a varied diet.

The heart, like the stomach, wants a varied diet.

Everything one invents is true, you may be perfectly sure of that. Poetry is as...

Everything one invents is true, you may be perfectly sure of that. Poetry is as...

I love my work with a frenetic and perverse love, as an ascetic loves the...

I love my work with a frenetic and perverse love, as an ascetic loves the...

What is the beautiful, if not the impossible.

What is the beautiful, if not the impossible.

In the dark room a cloud of yellow dust flew from beneath the tool like...

In the dark room a cloud of yellow dust flew from beneath the tool like...

The future is the worst thing about the present.

The future is the worst thing about the present.

Style is as much under the words as in the words. It is as much...

Style is as much under the words as in the words. It is as much...

Writing is a dog's life, but the only life worth living.

Writing is a dog's life, but the only life worth living.

There is no truth. There is only perception.

There is no truth. There is only perception.

The only way to avoid being unhappy is to close yourself up in Art and...

The only way to avoid being unhappy is to close yourself up in Art and...

Anything becomes interesting if you look at it long enough.

Anything becomes interesting if you look at it long enough.

One must always hope when one is desperate, and doubt when one hopes.

One must always hope when one is desperate, and doubt when one hopes.