I have come to have the firm conviction that vanity is the basis of everything, and finally that what one calls conscience is only inner vanity.

Quote by Gustave Flaubert

Topics: Gustave Flaubert Quotes

Nothing is more humiliating than to see idiots succeed in enterprises we have failed in.

Nothing is more humiliating than to see idiots succeed in enterprises we have failed in.

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.

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...

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 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;...

Of all the icy blasts that blow on love, a request for money is the...

Of all the icy blasts that blow on love, a request for money is the...

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...

Success is a result, not a goal

Success is a result, not a goal

I believe that if one always looked at the skies, one would end up with...

I believe that if one always looked at the skies, one would end up with...

Earth has its boundaries, but human stupidity is limitless.

Earth has its boundaries, but human stupidity is limitless.

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...

Oh, if I had been loved at the age of seventeen, what an idiot I...

Oh, if I had been loved at the age of seventeen, what an idiot I...

Caught up in life, you see it badly. You suffer from it or enjoy it...

Caught up in life, you see it badly. You suffer from it or enjoy it...

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...

To be stupid, selfish, and have good health are three requirements for happiness, though if...

To be stupid, selfish, and have good health are three requirements for happiness, though if...

As a rule we disbelieve all the facts and theories for which we have no...

As a rule we disbelieve all the facts and theories for which we have no...

I am a man-pen. I feel through the pen, because of the pen.

I am a man-pen. I feel through the pen, because of the pen.

When our eyes see our hands doing the work of our hearts, the circle of...

When our eyes see our hands doing the work of our hearts, the circle of...

Laughter is the closest distance between two people.

Laughter is the closest distance between two people.

Mocking laughter from Hell.

Mocking laughter from Hell.

Follow your honest convictions and be strong

Follow your honest convictions and be strong