Colette Quotes

A few days later, I found my mother beneath the tree, motionless with excitement, her head turned toward the heavens in which she would allow human religions no place.

Be happy. It's one way of being wise.

I did not look for her, because I was afraid of dispelling the mystery we attach to people whom we know only casually.

look for a long time at what pleases you, and longer still at what pains you...

Don't you think, that there are very few men who know, without raising their voice or changing their tone, to say...what has to be said?

It's so curious: one can resist tears and 'behave' very well in the hardest hours of grief. But then someone makes you a friendly sign behind a window, or one notices that a flower that was in bud only yesterday has suddenly blossomed, or a letter slips from a drawer... and everything collapses.

You were listening at the door, Gigi!""No, Grandmamma.""Yes, you had your ear to the keyhole. You must never listen at key-holes. You don't hear properly and so you get things all wrong.

When she raises her eyelids it's as if she were taking off all her clothes.

Be happy. It's one way of being wise

We only do well the things we like doing.

Put down everything that comes into your head and then you're a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff's worth, without pity, and destroy most of it.", 1964)