“Above all, you can believe in Providence in either of two ways, either as thirst believes in the orange, or as the ass believes in the whip.”

“No Prefect of Police believes that a cat can turn into a lion; nevertheless the thing happens...”

“And do you know Monsieur Marius? I believe I was a little in love with you.”

“Faith is necessary to men; woe to him who believes in nothing!”

“As for us, we respect the past here and there, and we spare it, above all, provided that it consents to be dead. If it insists on being alive, we attack it, and we try to kill it.”

“Whom man kill, God restores to life; whom the brothers pursue the Father redeems. Pray and believe and go onward into life. You Father is there.”

“Though one believes in nothing, there are moments in life when one accepts the religion of the temple nearest at hand.”