"

... Odette seemed a fascinating and desirable woman, the attraction which her body held for him had aroused a painful longing to secure the absolute m...more

"

She’s an absolute idiot!” she added with the wisdom invariably shown by people who, not being in love themselves, feel that a clever man should only b...more

"

I have built, deep in my heart, a chapel filled with you.

"

... which would enable him to prolong for the time being, and to renew for one day more the disappointment, the torturing deception that must always c...more

"

There can be no peace of mind in love since the advantage one has secured is never anything but a fresh starting-point for further desires.

"

Now there is one thing I can tell you: you will enjoy certain pleasures you would not fathom now. When you still had your mother you often thought of ...more

"

One says the things which one feels the need to say, and which the other will not understand: one speaks for oneself alone.

"

Love is a striking example of how little reality means to us.

"

With women who do not love us, as with the "dear departed," the knowledge that there is no hope left does not prevent us from continuing to wait.

"

For, like desire, regret seeks not to be analysed but to be satisfied. When one begins to love, one spends one’s time, not in getting to know what one...more

"

Jean's desires, like those of all men in love, were concentrated on the impossible.

"

When Jean and his mother left Etreuilles, Monsieur Sureau had gathered for them great boxfuls of hawthorn and of snowballs which Madame Santeuil had n...more

"

He could see her, but dared not remain for fear of annoying her by seeming to be spying upon the pleasures which she tasted in other company, pleasure...more

"

Ah, in those earliest days of love how naturally the kisses spring into life! So closely, in their profusion, do they crowd together that lovers would...more

"

At that time, he was satisfying a sensual curiosity by experiencing the pleasures of people who live for love. He had believed he could stop there, th...more