Dumas Alexandre Quotes & Sayings

Sometimes salvation is found in agony. — Alexandre Dumas

Sighs united together are almost prayers; prayers coming from two hearts are almost acts of grace. — Alexandre Dumas

Hard decisions, sacrifices doesn't keep you warm at night, life's too damn short, too damn long to continue without someone at your side — Alexandre Dumas

In all times, and all countries especially in those countries which are divided within by religious faith, there are always fanatics who will be well contented to be regarded as martyrs. — Alexandre Dumas

Pure love and suspicion cannot dwell together: at the door where the latter enters, the former makes its exit. — Alexandre Dumas

A man has carried off your mistress, a man has seduced your wife, a man has dishonored your daughter; he has rendered the whole life of one who had the right to expect from heaven that portion of happiness God has promised to every one of his creatures, an existence of misery and infamy; and you think you are avenged because you send a ball through the head, or pass a sword through the breast, of that man who has planted madness in your brain, and despair in your heart. — Alexandre Dumas

And without waiting for the answer of the newcomer to this proof of affection, M. de Treville seized his right hand and pressed it with all his might, without perceiving that Athos, whatever might be his self-command, allowed a slight murmur of pain to escape him, and if possible, grew paler than he was before. — Alexandre Dumas

It is almost as difficult to keep a first class person in a fourth class job, as it is to keep a fourth class person in a first class job. — Alexandre Dumas

I hate this life of the fashionable world, always ordered, measured, ruled, like our music-paper. What I have always wished for, desired, and coveted, is the life of an artist, free and independent, relying only on my own resources, and accountable only to myself. — Alexandre Dumas

One! said the count mysteriously, his eyes fixed on the corpse, disfigured by so awful a death. — Alexandre Dumas

Danglars was alone, but neither troubled nor disturbed. Danglars was even happy, because he had taken revenge on an enemy and ensured himself the place on board the Pharaon that he had feared he might lose. Danglars was one of those calculating men who are born with a pen behind their ear and an inkwell instead of a heart. To him, everything in this world was subtraction or multiplication, and a numeral was much dearer than a man, when it was a numeral that would increase the total (while a man might reduce it). So Danglars had gone to bed at his usual hour and slept peacefully. — Alexandre Dumas

Sometimes one has suffered enough to have the right to never say: I am too happy. — Alexandre Dumas

Those born to wealth, and who have the means of gratifying every wish, know not what is the real happiness of life, just as those who have been tossed on the stormy waters of the ocean on a few frail planks can alone realize the blessings of fair weather. — Alexandre Dumas

D'Artagnan, my friend, thou art brave, thou art prudent, thou hast excellent qualities, but- women will destroy thee!
-D'Artagnan — Alexandre Dumas

Live, for a day will come when you will be happy and bless life — Alexandre Dumas

The belfry of St Cloud slowly emitted ten strokes from its broad sonorous jaws. There was something melancholy in that voice of bronze, which thus breathed its lamentations in the night. But each of those sounds, which told the hour he sighed for, vibrated harmoniously in the heart of the young man. — Alexandre Dumas

What fragile and unknown threads the destinies of nations and the lives of men are suspended. — Alexandre Dumas

Time, dear friend, time brings round opportunity; opportunity is the martingale of man. The more we have ventured the more we gain, when we know how to wait. — Alexandre Dumas

Edmond Dantes: I don't believe in God.
Abbe Faria: That doesn't matter, He believes in you ... — Alexandre Dumas

This commissary was a man of very repulsive mien, with a pointed nose, with yellow and salient cheek bones, with eyes small but keen and penetrating, and an expression of countenance resembling at one the polecat and the fox. His head, supported by a long and flexible neck, issued from his large black robe, balancing itself with a motion very much like that of the tortoise thrusting his head out of his shell. — Alexandre Dumas

But he laughed as the English do at the end of his teeth. — Alexandre Dumas

Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. — Alexandre Dumas

My son, be worthy of your noble name, worthily borne by your ancestors for over five hundred years. Remember it's by courage, and courage alone, that a nobleman makes his way nowadays. Don't be afraid of opportunities, and seek out adventures. My son, all I have to give you is fifteen ecus, my horse, and the advice you've just heard. Make the most of these gifts, and have a long, happy life. — Alexandre Dumas

Let me struggle like a woman- my strength lies in my weakness. - Milady — Alexandre Dumas

I was saying to him only yesterday: 'You are imprudent, M. le Comte; for when you go to Auteuil and take your servants the house is left unprotected.' 'Well,' said he, 'what next?' 'Well, next, someday you will be robbed."
"What did he say?"
"He quietly said: 'What do I care if I am? — Alexandre Dumas

Ah, but the friends of to-day are the enemies of to-morrow; — Alexandre Dumas

Well, sir, embrace me once, as you would embrace your daughter, and I swear to you that that kiss, the only chaste kiss I have ever had, will make me strong against my love, and that within a week your son will be once more at your side, perhaps unhappy for a time, but cured forever. — Alexandre Dumas-fils

No. I will remain because I have been accustomed for thirty years to go and take the orderly word of the King, and to have it said to me, 'Good evening, d'Artagnan,' with a smile I did not beg for! — Alexandre Dumas

Life is so uncertain, that we ought to secure happiness while it is within our reach. — Alexandre Dumas

It is the privilege of youth to believe and hope, but old men see death more clearly. — Alexandre Dumas

God is merciful to all, as he has been to you; he is first a father, then a judge. — Alexandre Dumas

Great is the truth, fire can not burn, nor water can drown it! — Alexandre Dumas

Be kind, aim for my heart. — Alexandre Dumas

I found out that with one hundred and fifty well-chosen books a man possesses, if not a complete summary of all human knowledge, at least all that a man need really know. — Alexandre Dumas

The greater number of a man's errors come before him disguised under the specious form of necessity; then, after error has been committed in a moment of excitement, of delirium, or of fear, we see that we might have avoided and escaped it. — Alexandre Dumas

Why, in truth, sir," was Monte Cristo's reply, "man is but an ugly caterpillar for him who studies him through a solar microscope; but you said, I think, that I had nothing else to do. Now, really, let me ask, sir, have you? - do you believe you have anything to do? or to speak in plain terms, do you really think that what you do deserves being called anything? — Alexandre Dumas

he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead. The — Alexandre Dumas

Have no secrets from you. This, then, is what saddens me." "Wait a minute, Porthos; let me first — Alexandre Dumas

I never swear, Monseigneur. I say Yes or No, and as I am a gentleman, I keep my word. — Alexandre Dumas

How is it that little children are so intelligent and men so stupid? It must be education that does it. — Alexandre Dumas

When you are in doubt as to which you should serve forsake the material appearance for the invisible principle for this is everything. — Alexandre Dumas

Athos liked every one to exercise his own free-will. He never gave his advice before it was demanded and even then it must be demanded twice.
"In general, people only ask for advice," he said "that they may not follow it or if they should follow it that they may have somebody to blame for having given it". — Alexandre Dumas

The Imperial throne was occupied by Frederic III, who had been rightly named the Peaceful, not for the reason that he had always maintained peace, but because, having constantly been beaten, he had always been forced to make it. — Alexandre Dumas

The most curious spectacle in life is that of death. — Alexandre Dumas

He is anxious to know how you have been employed during your long absence from him, how you have been treated by your persecutors, and if they have conducted themselves towards you with all the deference due to your rank. Finally, he is anxious to see if you have been fortunate enough to escape the bad moral influence to which you have been exposed, and which is infinitely more to be dreaded than any physical suffering; — Alexandre Dumas

We must have done something very wicked before we were born, or else we must be going to be very happy indeed when we are dead, for God to let this life have all the tortures of expiation and all the sorrows of an ordeal. — Alexandre Dumas-fils

The difference between genius and stupidity is: genius has its limits. — Alexandre Dumas-fils

I never play, because I am not rich enough to afford to lose or poor enough to want to win.
Maximilien Morrel, The Count of Monte Cristo — Alexandre Dumas

Look, look,' cried the count, seizing the young man's hands - look, for on my soul it is curious. Here is a man who had resigned himself to his fate, who was going to the scaffold to die - like a coward, it is true, but he was about to die without resistance. Do you know what gave him strength? - do you know what consoled him? It was, that another partook of his punishment - that another partook of his anguish - that another was to die before him. Lead two sheep to the butcher's, two oxen to the slaughterhouse, and make one of them understand that his companion will not die; the sheep will bleat for pleasure, the ox will bellow with joy. But man - man, who God created in his own image - man, upon whom God has laid his first, his sole commandment, to love his neighbour - man, to whom God has given a voice to express his thoughts - what is his first cry when he hears his fellowman is saved? A blasphemy. Honour to man, this masterpiece of nature, this king of the creation! — Alexandre Dumas

Moral wounds have this peculiarity - they may be hidden, but they never close; always painful, always ready to bleed when touched, they remain fresh and open in the heart. — Alexandre Dumas

It was a strange thing: one never appeared to take a step forward int he heart or mind of this man. Those who wished, so to speak, to force their way into intimacy with him found the path blocked. — Alexandre Dumas

Capricious and unfaithful, the king wished to be called Louis the Just and Louis the Chaste. Posterity will find a difficulty in understanding this character, which history explains only by facts and never by reason. — Alexandre Dumas

I have looked at it with all possible attention," said Dantes, "and I only see a half-burnt paper, on which are traces of Gothic characters inscribed with a peculiar kind of ink. — Alexandre Dumas

We are entitled to violate history, provided that it results in handsome offspring. — Alexandre Dumas

At the time when Pope Pius VII had to leave Rome, which had been conquered by revolutionary French, the committee of the Chamber of Commerce in London was considering the herring fishery. One member of the committee observed that, since the Pope had been forced to leave Rome, Italy was probably going to become a Protestant country. "Heaven help us," cried another member. "What," responded the first, "would you be upset to see the number of good Protestants increase?" "No," the other answered, "it isn't that, but suppose there are no more Catholics, what shall we do with our herring?" - Alexandre Dumas, Le grand dictionnaire de cuisine, 1873 — Mark Kurlansky

When a man resolves to avenge himself, he should first of all tear out the heart from his breast. — Alexandre Dumas

The merit of all things lies in their difficulty. — Alexandre Dumas

My friend, let us enjoy the present and give no thought to the evils of the future. — Alexandre Dumas

Young man had a steed which was the observed of all observers. It was a Bearn pony, from twelve to fourteen years old, yellow in his hide, without a hair — Alexandre Dumas

Women sometimes allow you to be unfaithful to their love; they never allow you to wound their self-esteem. — Alexandre Dumas-fils

He's right: They have to put madmen with madmen. — Alexandre Dumas

It is quite rare for God to provide a great man at the necessary moment to carry out some great deep, which is why when this unusual combination of circumstance does occur, history at once records the name of the chosen one and recommends him to the admiration of posterity. — Alexandre Dumas

of steel. Fight on all occasions. Fight — Alexandre Dumas

How strange," continued the king, with some asperity; "the police think that they have disposed of the whole matter when they say, 'A murder has been committed,' and especially so when they can add, 'And we are on the track of the guilty persons. — Alexandre Dumas

But that's not the name of a man, it's the name of a mountain! ( ... )
"It is my name," Athos said calmly.
"But you said your name was d'Artagnan."
"I?"
"Yes, you."
"That is to say, someone said to me: 'You are M. d'Artagnan?' I replied: 'You think so?' My guards shouted that they were sure of it. I did not want to vex them. Besides, I might have been mistaken. — Alexandre Dumas

I do not often laugh, sir," answered the unknown. "As you may yourself discover by the expression of my continence. But yet I mean to preserve the right of laughing when I please. — Alexandre Dumas

The chains of marriage are so heavy that it takes two to bear them, sometimes three. — Alexandre Dumas-fils

But Valentine, why despair, why always paint the future in such sombre hues?" Maximilien asked.
"Because, my friend, I judge it by the past. — Alexandre Dumas

His eyebrows arched under a single, pensive line and his eyes themselves were imprinted with deep sadness, behind which from time to time could be seen dark flashes of misanthropy and hatred. — Alexandre Dumas

Upon my word," said Dantes, "you make me shudder. Is the world filled with tigers and crocodiles?"
"Yes; and remember that two legged tigers and crocodiles are more dangerous than the others. — Alexandre Dumas

Go to the devil with your Latin. Let us drink, my dear d'Artagnan, MORBLEU! Let us drink while the wine is fresh! Let — Alexandre Dumas

The discovery of a completely unknown manuscript at a period in which historical science is carried to such a high degree appeared almost miraculous. We hastened, therefore, to obtain permission to print it, with the view of presenting ourselves someday with the pack of others at the doors of the Academie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres, if we should not succeed - a very probable thing, by the by - in gaining admission to the Academie Francaise with our own proper pack. This permission, we feel bound to say, was graciously granted; which compels us here to give a public contradiction to the slanderers who pretend that we live under a government but moderately indulgent to men of letters. — Alexandre Dumas

There is a sort of consolation at the contemplation of the yawning abyss, at the bottom of which lie darkness and obscurity. Edmond — Alexandre Dumas

THE SHOULDER OF ATHOS, THE BALDRIC OF PORTHOS AND THE HANDKERCHIEF OF ARAMIS — Alexandre Dumas

That Englishman who came to challenge me three or four months ago, and whom I killed to stop him bothering me — Alexandre Dumas

What melancholy thought,' said the King, 'can possibly reach your heart when I place mine as a rampart before it? — Alexandre Dumas

Then Monsieur is satisfied?" asked Planchet. "My dear Planchet, I am the happiest of men!" "And I may profit by Monsieur's happiness, and go to bed? — Alexandre Dumas

What tender threads do life and death hang — Alexandre Dumas

Never trust the enemy that gives you presents — Alexandre Dumas

Come, then, thou regenerate man, thou extravagant prodigal, thou awakened sleeper, thou all-powerful visionary, thou invincible millionaire,
once again review thy past life of starvation and wretchedness, revisit the scenes where fate and misfortune conducted, and where despair received thee. Too many diamonds, too much gold and splendor, are now reflected by the mirror in which Monte Cristo seeks to behold Dantes. Hide thy diamonds, bury thy gold, shroud thy splendor, exchange riches for poverty, liberty for a prison, a living body for a corpse! — Alexandre Dumas

Happiness even makes the wicked good. — Alexandre Dumas

D'Artagnan: Why is Athos sitting by himself?
Aramis: He takes his drinking very seriously. Not to worry, he'll be his usual charming self by morning. — Alexandre Dumas

I could recite you the whole of Thucydides, Xenophon, Plutarch, Titus Livius, Tacitus, Strada, Jornandes, Dante, Montaigne, Shakespeare, Spinoza, Machiavelli, and Bossuet. I name only the most important." "You — Alexandre Dumas

Dantes. He became Number 34. — Alexandre Dumas

Ah," said the jailer, "do not always brood over what is impossible, or you will be mad in a fortnight. — Alexandre Dumas

He pointed out to him the bearings of the coast, explained to him the variations of the compass, and taught him to read in that vast book opened over our heads which they call heaven, and where God writes in azure with letters of diamonds. — Alexandre Dumas

The same thing is happening to me as happens to people in dreams when they see and feel a wound but can't remember having received it. — Alexandre Dumas

Being able to conceal from himself the ridiculous appearance that such a steed gave him, good horseman as he was. He had sighed deeply, therefore, when accepting — Alexandre Dumas

The reign of Mazarin is over, but that of the financiers is begun. They have the money; your majesty will not often see much of it. To live under the paw of these hungry wolves is hard for a man who reckoned upon independence. — Alexandre Dumas

he spoke with so much simplicity that it was evident he spoke the truth, or that he was mad. — Alexandre Dumas

Treville understood admirably well the warfare of that period, when, if you did not live at the enemy's expense, you lived at the expense of your compatriots: his soldiers formed a legion of daredevils, undisciplined for anyone else but him. — Alexandre Dumas

Having reached the summit of his vengeance by the slow and tortuous route that he had followed, he had looked over the far side of the mountain and into the abyss of doubt. — Alexandre Dumas

Ah sir," replied Caderousse, "we cannot console those who will not be consoled, and he was one of these; besides, I know not why, but he seemed to dislike seeing me. One night, however, I heard his sobs, and I could not resist my desire to go up to him, but when I reached his door he was no longer weeping but praying.
I cannot now repeat to you, sir, all the eloquent words and imploring language he made use of; it was more than piety, it was more than grief, and I, who am no canter, and hate the Jesuits, said then to myself, 'It is really well, and I am very glad that I have not any children; for if I were a father and felt such excessive grief as the old man does, and did not find in my memory or heart all he is now saying, I should throw myself into the sea at once, for I could not bear it. — Alexandre Dumas

My lord," said D'Artagnan, "Monsieur de Vallon [Porthos] is like me, he prefers service extraordinary - that is to say, enterprises that are considered mad and impossible. — Alexandre Dumas

d'Artagnan is right," said Athos; "here are our three leaves of absence which came from Monsieur de Treville, and here are three hundred pistoles which came from I don't know where. So let us go and get killed where we are told to go. Is life worth the trouble of so many questions? — Alexandre Dumas

Flying through an army, sire," said Athos, "in all countries in the world is called charging. — Alexandre Dumas

Follow me. He who lives will see. - D'Artagnan — Alexandre Dumas

One could guess that there was the delicate forethought of a mother behind this choice of the pavillon for Albert: while not wanting to be separated from her son, she nevertheless realized that a young man of the viscount's age needed all his freedom. On the other hand, it must be said that one could also recognize in this the intelligent egoism of the young man, the son of wealthy parents, who enjoyed the benefits of a free and idle life, which was gilded for him like a birdcage. — Alexandre Dumas

All for one and one for all. — Alexandre Dumas

Excitement, like enthusiasm, sometimes renders us unconscious to the things of earth. — Alexandre Dumas