No man should marry until he has studied anatomy and dissected at least one woman. – Honore de Balzac
It is only in the act of nursing that a woman realizes her motherhood in visible and tangible fashion; it is a joy of every moment. – Honore de Balzac
Political liberty, the peace of a nation, and science itself are gifts for which Fate demands a heavy tax in blood! – Honore de Balzac
At fifteen, beauty and talent do not exist; there can only be promise of the coming woman. – Honore de Balzac
To kill a relative of whom you are tired is something. But to inherit his property afterwards, that is genuine pleasure. – Honore de Balzac
A lover always thinks of his mistress first and himself second; with a husband it runs the other way. – Honore de Balzac
What is a child, monsieur, but the image of two beings, the fruit of two sentiments spontaneously blended? – Honore de Balzac
We exaggerate misfortune and happiness alike. We are never as bad off or as happy as we say we are. – Honore de Balzac
The duration of passion is proportionate with the original resistance of the woman. – Honore de Balzac
A husband who submits to his wife’s yoke is justly held an object of ridicule. A woman’s influence ought to be entirely concealed. – Honore de Balzac
Power is action; the electoral principle is discussion. No political action is possible when discussion is permanently established. – Honore de Balzac
When women love us, they forgive us everything, even our crimes; when they do not love us, they give us credit for nothing, not even our virtues. – Honore de Balzac