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

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

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

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...

I have come to have the firm conviction that vanity is the basis of everything,...

I have come to have the firm conviction that vanity is the basis of everything,...

The cult of art gives pride; one never has too much of it.

The cult of art gives pride; one never has too much of it.

You can calculate the worth of a man by the number of his enemies, and...

You can calculate the worth of a man by the number of his enemies, and...

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...

Earth has its boundaries, but human stupidity is limitless.

Earth has its boundaries, but human stupidity is limitless.

Stupidity is something unshakable; nothing attacks it without breaking itself against it; it is of...

Stupidity is something unshakable; nothing attacks it without breaking itself against it; it is of...

It seems to me that I have always existed and that I possess memories that...

It seems to me that I have always existed and that I possess memories that...

The author, in his work, must be like God in the Universe, present everywhere and...

The author, in his work, must be like God in the Universe, present everywhere and...

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...

How you measure the performance of your managers directly affects the way they act.

How you measure the performance of your managers directly affects the way they act.

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

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.

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,...

One mustn't ask apple trees for oranges, France for sun, women for love, life for...

One mustn't ask apple trees for oranges, France for sun, women for love, life for...

Poetry is as precise a thing as geometry.

Poetry is as precise a thing as geometry.

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

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

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...

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

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