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A Gothic building engenders true religion ... The light, falling through colored glass, the singular forms of the architecture, unite to give a silent image of that infinite mystery which the soul for ever feels, and never comprehends.
Madame de Stael -
To pray together, in whatever tongue or ritual, is the most tender brotherhood of hope and sympathy that man can contract in this life.
Madame de Stael
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Life teaches much, but to all thinking persons it brings ever closer the will of God - not because their faculties decline, but on the contrary, because they increase.
Madame de Stael -
Unhappy love freezes all our affections: our own souls grow inexplicable to us. More than we gained while we were happy we lose by the reverse.
Madame de Stael -
When at eve, at the bounding of the landscape, the heavens appear to recline so slowly on the earth, imagination pictures beyond the horizon an asylum of hope, - a native land of love; and nature seems silently to repeat that man is immortal.
Madame de Stael -
Beauty is one in the universe, and, whatever form it assumes, it always arouses a religious feeling in the hearts of mankind.
Madame de Stael -
Where no interest is takes in science, literature and liberal pursuits, mere facts and insignificant criticisms necessarily become the themes of discourse; and minds, strangers alike to activity and meditation, become so limited as to render all intercourse with them at once tasteless and oppressive.
Madame de Stael -
Love is above the laws, above the opinion of men; it is the truth, the flame, the pure element, the primary idea of the moral world.
Madame de Stael
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Good taste cannot supply the place of genius in literature, for the best proof of taste, when there is no genius, would be, not to write at all.
Madame de Stael -
No nation has the right to bring about a revolution, even though such a change may be most urgently needed, if the price is the blood of one single innocent individual.
Madame de Stael -
The memories which come to us through music are not accompanied by any regrets; for a moment music gives us back the pleasures it retraces, and we feel them again rather than recollect them.
Madame de Stael -
The people are as severe toward the clergy as toward women; they want to see absolute devotion to duty from both.
Madame de Stael -
Madame de Stael thought it was pride in mankind to endeavour to penetrate the secret of the universe; and speaking of the higher metaphysics she said: "I prefer the Lord's Prayer to it all."
Madame de Stael -
The only equitable manner in my opinion, of judging the character of a man is to examine if there are personal calculations in his conduct; if there are not, we may blame his manner of judging, but we are not the less bound to esteem him.
Madame de Stael
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The face of a woman, whatever be the force or extent of her mind, whatever be the importance of the object she pursues, is always an obstacle or a reason in the story of her life.
Madame de Stael -
If it were not for respect for human opinions, I would not open my window to see the Bay of Naples for the first time, whilst I would go five hundred leagues to talk with a man of genius whom I had not seen.
Madame de Stael -
a perfect piece of architecture kindles that aimless reverie, which bears the soul we know not whither.
Madame de Stael -
... in the history of the human mind there has never been a useful thought or a profound truth that has not found its century and admirers.
Madame de Stael -
[On Italian:] One may almost call it a language that talks of itself, and always seems more witty than its speakers.
Madame de Stael -
Enthusiasm gives life to what is invisible; and interest to what has no immediate action on our comfort in this world.
Madame de Stael
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It seems to me that we become more dear one to the other, in together admiring works of art, which speak to the soul by their true grandeur.
Madame de Stael -
Life resembles Gobelin tapestry; you do not see the canvass on the right side; but when you turn it, the threads are visible.
Madame de Stael -
There are only two distinct classes of people on this earth, those who espouse enthusiasm and those who despise it.
Madame de Stael -
When women oppose themselves to the projects and ambition of men, they excite their lively resentment; if in their youth they meddle with political intrigues, their modesty must suffer.
Madame de Stael