Explore Quotes by Andre Gide

Nothing is good for everyone, but only relatively to some people.

Life never presents us with anything which may not be looked upon as a fresh starting point, no less than as a termination.

The individual never asserts himself more than when he forgets himself.

We no longer admit any other truth than that which is expedient; for there is no worse error than the truth that may weaken the arm that is fighting.

Great minds tend toward banality. It is the noblest effort of individualism. But it implies a sort of modesty, which is so rare that it is scarcely found except in the greatest, or in beggars.

To win ones joy through struggle is better than to yield to melancholy.

Nothing is more fatal to happiness than the remembrance of happiness.

An experience teaches only the good observer; but far from seeking a lesson in it, everyone looks for an argument in experience, and everyone interprets the conclusion in his own way.

Through fear of resembling one another, through horror of having to submit, through uncertainty as well, through skepticism and complexity, there is a multitude of individual little beliefs for the triumph of strange little individuals.

It is the special quality of love not to be able to remain stationary, to be obliged to increase under pain of diminishing.

But can one still make resolutions when one is over forty? I live according to twenty-year-old habits.

It is essential to persuade the soldier that those he is being urged to massacre are bandits who do not deserve to live; before killing other good, decent fellows like himself, his gun would fall from his hands.

Sin is whatever obscures the soul.

The important thing is being capable of emotions, but to experience only one's own would be a sorry limitation.

To know how to free oneself is nothing; the arduous thing is to know what to do with one's freedom.

When intelligent people pride themselves on not understanding, it is quite natural they should succeed better than fools.

A work of art is an exaggeration.

The scholar seeks truth, the artist finds.

Whoever starts out toward the unknown must consent to venture alone.

The belief that becomes truth for me... is that which allows me the best use of my strength, the best means of putting my virtues into action.

The only real education comes from what goes counter to you.