149 quotes
Then the hour of separation came, and Miette climbed the wall again and threw him a kiss. And he saw her no more. Emotion choked him at the thought: he would never see her again—never!
La Fortune des Rougon (1871)
When a man was honest in his dealings, you could forgive him the rest.
Germinal (1885)
Blow the candle out, I don’t need to see what my thoughts look like.
Germinal (1885)
She was cold by nature, self-love predominating over passion; rather than being virtuous, she preferred to have her pleasures all to herself.
Pot-Bouille (1882)
From that time onwards he seemed to feel out of place in Plassans. He would wander through the streets like a lost soul. At last he made a sudden decision, and left for Paris.
La Fortune des Rougon (1871)
A new dynasty is never founded without a struggle. Blood makes good manure. It will be a good thing for the Rougon family to be founded on a massacre, like many illustrious families.
La Fortune des Rougon (1871)
Oh, those bourgeois scum! One day they’d stuff 'em with champagne and truffles till their guts burst!
Germinal (1885)
The rage for debasing things was inborn in her. It did not suffice her to destroy them, she must soil them too.
Nana (1880)
Kings may usurp thrones, republics may be established, but the town scarcely stirs. Plassans sleeps while Paris fights.
La Fortune des Rougon (1871)
Great disorders lead to great conversions. Providence would have its opportunity.
Nana (1880)
When lovers kiss on the cheeks, it is because they are searching, feeling for one another’s lips. Lovers are made by a kiss.
La Fortune des Rougon (1871)
In reality, one single thought tormented them: they were irritated at their crime, and in despair at having for ever troubled their lives.
Thérèse Raquin (1867)
She liked this young fellow with that expansive feeling that old women display for people who come from their own part of the country, bringing with them memories of the past.
Thérèse Raquin (1867)
All of a sudden, in the good-natured child the woman stood revealed, a disturbing woman with all the impulsive madness of her sex, opening the gates of the unknown world of desire. Nana was still smiling, but with the deadly smile of a man-eater.
Nana (1880)
They called her 'the chicken', for she had in truth the soft flesh and country freshness of a chicken.
L'Assommoir (1876)
The past was but the cemetery of our illusions: one simply stubbed one’s toes on the gravestones.
L'Œuvre (1886)
When Hélène came back, ... she said to herself that they had never loved one another less than that day.
Une page d'amour (1878)
Did not one spend the first half of one’s days in dreams of happiness and the second half in regrets and terrors?
La joie de vivre (1883)
Foucarmont had twice fought duels, and he was in consequence most politely treated, and admitted into every circle.
Nana (1880)
In the sudden change that had come over her heart, she no longer recognised herself.
Thérèse Raquin (1867)