Émile Zola Quotes

Did not one spend the first half of one's days in dreams of happiness and the second half in regrets and terrors?

Émile Zola

Hélène, her eyes once more raised and remote, was deep in a dream. She was Lady Rowena, she was in love, with the deep peaceful passion of a noble soul. This spring morning, the loveliness of the great city, the first wallflowers scenting her lap, had little by little melted her heart.

Émile Zola

In Paris, everything's for sale: wise virgins, foolish virgins, truth and lies, tears and smiles.

Émile Zola

The Empire was on the point of turning Paris into the bawdy house of Europe. The gang of fortune-seekers who had succeeded in stealing a throne required a reign of adventures, shady transactions, sold consciences, bought women, and rampant drunkenness.

Émile Zola

He was possessed now with that obsession for the cross in which so many lips have worn themselves away on crucifixes.

Émile Zola

If you ask me what I came to do in this world I an artist I will answer you: T am here to live out loud.'

Émile Zola