But the disparaging of those we love always alienates us from them to some extent. We must not touch our idols; the gilt comes off in our hands.

Quote by Gustave Flaubert

Topics: Gustave Flaubert Quotes

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...

She (Madame Bovary) had that indefinable beauty that comes from happiness, enthusiasm, success - a...

She (Madame Bovary) had that indefinable beauty that comes from happiness, enthusiasm, success - a...

The artist must be in his work as God is in creation, invisible and all-powerful;...

The artist must be in his work as God is in creation, invisible and all-powerful;...

The true poet for me is a priest. As soon as he dons the cassock,...

The true poet for me is a priest. As soon as he dons the cassock,...

I detest my fellow-beings and do not feel that I am their fellow at all

I detest my fellow-beings and do not feel that I am their fellow at all

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

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

I love good sense above all, perhaps because I have none.

I love good sense above all, perhaps because I have none.

Books are made not like children but like pyramids and they're just as useless! And...

Books are made not like children but like pyramids and they're just as useless! And...

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

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

What an elder sees sitting; the young can't see standing.

What an elder sees sitting; the young can't see standing.

Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original...

Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original...

The faster the word sticks to the thought, the more beautiful is the effect.

The faster the word sticks to the thought, the more beautiful is the effect.

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.

The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.

The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.

Success is a result, not a goal

Success is a result, not a goal

Earth has its boundaries, but human stupidity is limitless.

Earth has its boundaries, but human stupidity is limitless.

Human speech is like a cracked cauldron on which we bang out tunes that make...

Human speech is like a cracked cauldron on which we bang out tunes that make...

Woman is a vulgar animal from whom man has created an excessively beautiful ideal.

Woman is a vulgar animal from whom man has created an excessively beautiful ideal.

I hate that which we have decided to call realism, even though I have been...

I hate that which we have decided to call realism, even though I have been...

Life must be a constant education; one must learn everything, from speaking to dying.

Life must be a constant education; one must learn everything, from speaking to dying.