“Laws are spider webs through which the big flies pass and the little ones get caught.”

“Wisdom is that apprehension of heavenly things to which the spirit rises through love.”

“Love is a game in which one always cheats.”

“True love rules especially through memory.”

“Hatred is the vice of narrow souls; they feed it with all their littleness, and make it the pretext of base tyrannies.”

“How did you get back?' asked Vautrin. 'I walked,' replied Eugene.'I wouldn't like half-pleasures, myself,' observed the tempter. 'I'd want to go there in my own carriage, have my own box, and come back in comfort. All or nothing, that's my motto.''And a very good one,' said Madame Vauquer.”

“Who is to decide which is the grimmer sight: withered hearts, or empty skulls?”