Small natures require despotism to exercise their sinews, as great souls thirst for equality to give play to their heart.

— Honore de Balzac

Society bristles with enigmas which look hard to solve. It is a perfect maze of intrigue.

— Honore de Balzac

Some troubles like a protested note of a solvent debtor bear interest.

— Honore de Balzac

The art of motherhood involves much silent, unobtrusive self-denial, an hourly devotion which finds no detail too minute.

— Honore de Balzac

The fact is that love is of two kinds, one which commands, and one which obeys. The two are quite distinct, and the passion to which the one gives rise is not the passion of the other.

— Honore de Balzac

The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.

— Honore de Balzac

The majority of husbands remind me of an orangutan trying to play the violin.

— Honore de Balzac

The man as he converses is the lover; silent, he is the husband.

— Honore de Balzac

The most virtuous women have something within them, something that is never chaste.

— Honore de Balzac

The motto of chivalry is also the motto of wisdom; to serve all, but love only one.

— Honore de Balzac