I have always had more dread of a pen, a bottle of ink, and... - Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

"When you compare the sorrows of real life to the pleasures of the imaginary one, you will never want to live again, only to dream forever."

"I don’t think man was meant to attain happiness so easily. Happiness is like those palaces in fairy tales whose gates are guarded by dragons: we must fight in order to conquer it."

"Those born to wealth, and who have the means of gratifying every wish, know not what is the real happiness of life, just as those who have been tossed on the stormy waters of the ocean on a few frail planks can alone realize the blessings of fair weather."

"Philosophy cannot be taught; it is the application of the sciences to truth."

"For the happy man prayer is only a jumble of words, until the day when sorrow comes to explain to him the sublime language by means of which he speaks to God."