Discretion is not the better part of biography.

The stability and peace which seemed to be so firmly established by the brilliant monarchy of Francis I vanished with the terrible outbreak of the Wars of Religion.

Perhaps of all the creations of man language is the most astonishing.

It is probably always disastrous not to be a poet.

Human beings are too important to be treated as mere symptoms of the past. They have a value which is independent of any temporal process──which is eternal, and must be felt for its own sake.

There is something dark and wintry about the atmosphere of the later Middle Ages.

Ignorance is the first requisite of the historian - ignorance, which simplifies and clarifies, which selects and omits, with a placid perfection unattainable by the highest art.

Perhaps the best test of a man's intelligence is his capacity for making a summary.

Englishmen have always loved Moliere.

The genius of the French language, descended from its single Latin stock, has triumphed most in the contrary direction - in simplicity, in unity, in clarity, and in restraint.

The history of the Victorian Age will never be written: we know too much about it.

You must forge your own path for it to mean anything.

Instead of loving your enemies treat your friends a little better.

A dark cloud is no sign that the sun has lost his light and dark black convictions are no arguments that God has laid aside His mercy.

When you gain 50 pounds during pregnancy like I did, you fear that you'll never get back in shape

We are traveling on with our staff in hand... We are pilgrims bound for the heavenly land.

Whatever happens, we can deal with it if we admit that it's happening and so on. So to be comfortable with what is - that is a real superpower.

A person’s tongue can give you the taste of his heart.

A great artist has a unique vision...obsession. They are someone willing to fail flamboyantly.

I take a few pictures a week, but the best part is waiting for my film to be developed. The suspense is exciting, and the reward is great.

Writing poetry is the only form of literary labour which gives me entire satisfaction.