I love my work with a frenetic and perverse love, as an ascetic loves the hair shirt which scratches his belly.

Quote by Gustave Flaubert

Topics: Gustave Flaubert Quotes

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.

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.

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...

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

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

A memory is a beautiful thing, it's almost a desire that you miss.

A memory is a beautiful thing, it's almost a desire that you miss.

Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears...

Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears...

A superhuman will is needed in order to write, and I am only a man.

A superhuman will is needed in order to write, and I am only a man.

Of all lies, art is the least untrue.

Of all lies, art is the least untrue.

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

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

Anything becomes interesting if you look at it long enough.

Anything becomes interesting if you look at it long enough.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

The future is the worst thing about the present.

The future is the worst thing about the present.

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

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

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 more humanity advances, the more it is degraded.

The more humanity advances, the more it is degraded.

One never tires of what is well written, style is life! It is the very...

One never tires of what is well written, style is life! It is the very...