Judge the goodness of a book by the energy of the punches it has given you. I believe the greatest characteristic of genius, is, above all, force.

Quote by Gustave Flaubert

Topics: Gustave Flaubert Quotes

I have the handicap of being born with a special language to which I alone...

I have the handicap of being born with a special language to which I alone...

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...

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...

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

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

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.

One mustn't always believe that feeling is everything. In the arts, it is nothing without...

One mustn't always believe that feeling is everything. In the arts, it is nothing without...

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

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

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;...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the...

Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the...

One can be the master of what one does, but never of what one feels.

One can be the master of what one does, but never of what one feels.

The future is the worst thing about the present.

The future is the worst thing about the present.

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.

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.

Of all possible debauches, traveling is the greatest that I know; that's the one they...

Of all possible debauches, traveling is the greatest that I know; that's the one they...