14 quotes
There is no feeling so simple that it is not immediately complicated and distorted by introspection.
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)
Generally among intelligent people are found nothing but paralytics and among men of action nothing but fools.
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)
Most often people seek in life occasions for persisting in their opinions rather than for educating themselves.
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)
True intelligence very readily conceives of an intelligence superior to its own; and this is why truly intelligent men are modest.
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)
We call “happiness” a certain set of circumstances that makes joy possible. But we call joy that state of mind and emotions that needs nothing to feel happy.
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)
When intelligent people pride themselves on not understanding, it is quite natural they should succeed better than fools.
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)
The artist who is after success lets himself be influenced by the public. Generally such an artist contributes nothing new, for the public acclaims only what it already knows, what it recognizes.
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)
O my dearest and most lovable thought, why should I try further to legitimize your birth?
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)
Often the best in us springs from the worst in us.
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)
The only really Christian art is that which, like St. Francis, does not fear being wedded to poverty. This rises far above art-as-ornament.
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)
I have my own virtue, which I am constantly cultivating and refining by teaching myself not to tolerate in me or my surroundings anything but the exquisite.
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)
At times it seems to me that I am living my life backwards, and that at the approach of old age my real youth will begin. My soul was born covered with wrinkles—wrinkles my ancestors and parents most assiduously put there and that I had the greatest trouble removing.
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)
Pay attention only to the form; emotion will come spontaneously to inhabit it. A perfect dwelling always finds an inhabitant. The artist's business is to build the dwelling; as for the inhabitant, it is up to the reader to provide him.
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)
In my present insistence on high standards you will see that there is less self-indulgence than resolve and application. I do not let the Christian monopolize the ideal of perfection. I have my own virtue, which I am constantly cultivating and refining by teaching myself not to tolerate in me or my surroundings anything but the exquisite.
Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)