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94 Notable Quotes By Gustave Flaubert, The Exponent Of Literary Realism

Famous As: French Author Best Known for His Novels: ‘Madame Bovary’, ‘Sentimental Education’, ‘Salammbô’ and ‘Three Tales’
Born On: December 12, 1821
Died On: May 8, 1880
Born In: Rouen, France
Died At Age: 58

Gustave Flaubert was a French novelist who is rightfully included among the greatest literary figures to have ever existed. He is credited for laying the foundations of the branch of literature which is popularly known as literary realism. Writing was Flaubert’s hobby right from the time when he was a child and even though he enrolled to study law in Paris, it was literature that eventually became his career. Flaubert’s decision to become an author was vindicated when his 1857 novel ‘Madame Bovary’ went on to become a huge hit. It is considered among one of the greatest novels ever written. Some of his other major works include ‘Memoirs of a Madman’, ‘Sentimental Education’, ‘Dictionary of Received Ideas’, ‘Three Tales’, ‘Salammbo’ and ‘The Temptation of Saint  Anthony’ among others. Flaubert’s novels became an inspiration for generations of writers and more importantly, one of the greatest short story writers in history, Guy de Maupassant was guided by him in his literary journey. Flaubert was without doubt one of the leading intellectuals of his time, whose novels reflected a sense of reality that was not normally found in novels of that time. The below collection of Gustave Flaubert most famous quotes have been excerpted from his writings, novels and thoughts. We bring to you some of the best quotes, sayings and thoughts from the life and works of Gustave Flaubert.

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Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the purpose of instruction. No, read in order to live.

Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the purpose of instruction. No, read in order to live.

Gustave Flaubert
Do not read as children do to enjoy themselves, or, as the ambitious do to educate themselves. No, read to live.

Do not read as children do to enjoy themselves, or, as the ambitious do to educate themselves. No, read to live.

Gustave Flaubert
Be steady and well-ordered in your life so that you can be fierce and original in your work.

Be steady and well-ordered in your life so that you can be fierce and original in your work.

Gustave Flaubert
Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work.

Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work.

Gustave Flaubert
There is not a particle of life which does not bear poetry within it

There is not a particle of life which does not bear poetry within it

Gustave Flaubert
Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while we long to make music that will melt the stars.

Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while we long to make music that will melt the stars.

Gustave Flaubert
Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.

Gustave Flaubert
One can be the master of what one does, but never of what one feels.

One can be the master of what one does, but never of what one feels.

Gustave Flaubert
It’s hard to communicate anything exactly and that’s why perfect relationships between people are difficult to find.

It’s hard to communicate anything exactly and that’s why perfect relationships between people are difficult to find.

Gustave Flaubert
Doubt … is an illness that comes from knowledge and leads to madness.

Doubt … is an illness that comes from knowledge and leads to madness.

Gustave Flaubert
She wanted to die, but she also wanted to live in Paris.

She wanted to die, but she also wanted to live in Paris.

Gustave Flaubert
Never touch your idols: the gilding will stick to your fingers.

Never touch your idols: the gilding will stick to your fingers." (Il ne faut pas toucher aux idoles: la dorure en reste aux mains.)

Gustave Flaubert
I am irritated by my own writing. I am like a violinist whose ear is true, but whose fingers refuse to reproduce precisely the sound he hears within.

I am irritated by my own writing. I am like a violinist whose ear is true, but whose fingers refuse to reproduce precisely the sound he hears within.

Gustave Flaubert
The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.

The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.

Gustave Flaubert
An infinity of passion can be contained in one minute, like a crowd in a small space.

An infinity of passion can be contained in one minute, like a crowd in a small space.

Gustave Flaubert
To be stupid, selfish, and have good health are three requirements for happiness, though if stupidity is lacking, all is lost.

To be stupid, selfish, and have good health are three requirements for happiness, though if stupidity is lacking, all is lost.

Gustave Flaubert
It is always sad to leave a place to which one knows one will never return. Such are the melancolies du voyage: perhaps they are one of the most rewarding things about traveling.

It is always sad to leave a place to which one knows one will never return. Such are the melancolies du voyage: perhaps they are one of the most rewarding things about traveling.

Gustave Flaubert
The one way of tolerating existence is to lose oneself in literature as in a perpetual orgy.

The one way of tolerating existence is to lose oneself in literature as in a perpetual orgy.

Gustave Flaubert
You don’t make art out of good intentions.

You don’t make art out of good intentions.

Gustave Flaubert
Pleasure is found first in anticipation, later in memory.

Pleasure is found first in anticipation, later in memory.

Gustave Flaubert
There is no truth. There is only perception.

There is no truth. There is only perception.

Gustave Flaubert
One's duty is to feel what is great, cherish the beautiful, and to not accept the conventions of society with the ignominy that it imposes upon us.

One's duty is to feel what is great, cherish the beautiful, and to not accept the conventions of society with the ignominy that it imposes upon us.

Gustave Flaubert
There are two infinities that confuse me: the one in my soul devours me; the one around me will crush me

There are two infinities that confuse me: the one in my soul devours me; the one around me will crush me

Gustave Flaubert
Everything, even herself, was now unbearable to her. She wished that, taking wing like a bird, she could fly somewhere, far away to regions of purity, and there grow young again.

Everything, even herself, was now unbearable to her. She wished that, taking wing like a bird, she could fly somewhere, far away to regions of purity, and there grow young again.

Gustave Flaubert
I don't believe that happiness is possible, but I think tranquility is.

I don't believe that happiness is possible, but I think tranquility is.

Gustave Flaubert
Stupidity lies in wanting to draw conclusions.

Stupidity lies in wanting to draw conclusions.

Gustave Flaubert
You must write for yourself, above all. That is your only hope of creating something beautiful.

You must write for yourself, above all. That is your only hope of creating something beautiful.

Gustave Flaubert
The public wants work which flatters its illusions.

The public wants work which flatters its illusions.

Gustave Flaubert
Writing is a dog’s life, but the only one worth living.

Writing is a dog’s life, but the only one worth living.

Gustave Flaubert
He had the vanity to believe men did not like him – while men simply did not know him.

He had the vanity to believe men did not like him – while men simply did not know him.

Gustave Flaubert