I should learn to run, to wrestle, to swim, to ride horses, to row, to drive a car, to fire a rifle. I should fill my soul with flesh. I should fill my flesh with soul. In fact, I should reconcile at last within me the two internal antagonists.

True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their
own.

Every man has his folly, but the greatest folly of all, in my view, is not to have one.

I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else.

Life's true face is the skull.

The life of man is a road with steep rises and dips. All sensible people use their brakes. But – and this is where, boss, maybe I show what I’m made of – I did away with my brakes altogether a long time ago, because I’m not at all scared of a jolt…Day and night, I go full steam ahead, doing just what I like; so much the worse if I fold up and get smashed to pieces. What have I got to lose? Nothing. Even if I do take it easy, won’t I end up just the same? Of course I will! So let’s scorch along!