The books one has written in the past have two surprises in store: one couldn't write them again, and wouldn't want to.

Quote by Jean Rostand

Topics: Books Quotes

Stupidity, outrage, vanity, cruelty, iniquity, bad faith, falsehood / we fail to see the whole...

Stupidity, outrage, vanity, cruelty, iniquity, bad faith, falsehood / we fail to see the whole...

Nothing leads the scientist so astray as a premature truth.

Nothing leads the scientist so astray as a premature truth.

My pessimism extends to the point of even suspecting the sincerity of other pessimists.

My pessimism extends to the point of even suspecting the sincerity of other pessimists.

The only things one can admire at length are those one admires without knowing why.

The only things one can admire at length are those one admires without knowing why.

Renown? I've already got more of it than those I respect, and will never have...

Renown? I've already got more of it than those I respect, and will never have...

Far too often the choices reality proposes are such as to take away one's taste...

Far too often the choices reality proposes are such as to take away one's taste...

Hatred, for the man who is not engaged in it, is a little like the...

Hatred, for the man who is not engaged in it, is a little like the...

To reflect is to disturb one's thoughts.

To reflect is to disturb one's thoughts.

Literature: proclaiming in front of everyone what one is careful to conceal from one's immediate...

Literature: proclaiming in front of everyone what one is careful to conceal from one's immediate...

I prefer the honest jargon of reality to the outright lies of books.

I prefer the honest jargon of reality to the outright lies of books.

It may offend us to hear our own thoughts expressed by others: we are not...

It may offend us to hear our own thoughts expressed by others: we are not...

The least one can say of power is that a vocation for it is suspicious.

The least one can say of power is that a vocation for it is suspicious.

The ideal, without doubt, varies, but its enemies, alas, are always the same.

The ideal, without doubt, varies, but its enemies, alas, are always the same.

I don't judge a regime by the damning criticism of the opposition, but by the...

I don't judge a regime by the damning criticism of the opposition, but by the...

Already at the origin of the species man was equal to what he was destined...

Already at the origin of the species man was equal to what he was destined...

Never feel remorse for what you have thought about your wife; she has thought much...

Never feel remorse for what you have thought about your wife; she has thought much...

To be an adult is to be alone.

To be an adult is to be alone.

Take heed of critics even when they are not fair; resist them even when they...

Take heed of critics even when they are not fair; resist them even when they...

It is sometimes well for a blatant error to draw attention to overmodest truths.

It is sometimes well for a blatant error to draw attention to overmodest truths.

Greatness, in order to gain recognition, must all too often consent to ape greatness.

Greatness, in order to gain recognition, must all too often consent to ape greatness.