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

Quote by Gustave Flaubert

Topics: Gustave Flaubert Quotes

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

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

Success is a consequence and must not be a goal.

Success is a consequence and must not be a goal.

Judge the goodness of a book by the energy of the punches it has given...

Judge the goodness of a book by the energy of the punches it has given...

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...

Art requires neither complaisance nor politeness; nothing but faith, faith and freedom.

Art requires neither complaisance nor politeness; nothing but faith, faith and freedom.

Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything.

Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything.

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.

A friend who dies, it's something of you who dies.

A friend who dies, it's something of you who dies.

Of all lies, art is the least untrue.

Of all lies, art is the least untrue.

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...

What is the beautiful, if not the impossible.

What is the beautiful, if not the impossible.

The most glorious moments in your life are not the so-called days of success, but...

The most glorious moments in your life are not the so-called days of success, but...

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...

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...

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...

In the dark room a cloud of yellow dust flew from beneath the tool like...

In the dark room a cloud of yellow dust flew from beneath the tool like...

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

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

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...

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...

The better a work is, the more it attracts criticism; it is like the fleas...

The better a work is, the more it attracts criticism; it is like the fleas...