“Our hope concerning the future is great, and our faith is strong. We know we’ve scarcely scratched the surface of that which will come to pass in the years that lie ahead.”

“The greatest defect we have in our prayers and in all that happens to us, particularly in that which concerns tribulations, is our lack of confidence ... Faith is great or little according to the measure of our confidence.”

“We may not know what lies a few years into the future... But for a few feet, our path is clear. So, GO.”

“The past is to be respected and acknowledged, but not worshipped; it is our future in which we will find our greatness.”

“We, the French, the cleverest people on Earth, we, the exquisite, the charming, incomparable people, -listen, I mean it- we have a weakness for thieves. In our novels, in our plays, in our comic operas, whenever a thief appears, he is interesting. The author knows where the way to success lies. He is scarcely concerned with moral rectitude; the main thing is to please the audience.”

“To Your eyes a thousand years are like yesterday come and gone, no more than a watch in the night.You sweep men away like a dream, like grass which springs up in the morning.In the morning it springs up and flowers, by evening it withers and fades.So we are destroyed in Your anger, struck with terror in Your fury.Our guilt lies open before You; our secrets in the light of Your face.All our days pass away in Your anger. Our life is over like a sigh.Our span is seventy years or eighty for those who are strong. And most of these are emptiness and pain, they pass swiftly and we are gone.”