One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight, for a very long time, of the shore. Andre Gide More Quotes by Andre Gide More Quotes From Andre Gide An experience teaches only the good observer; but far from seeking a lesson in it, everyone looks for an argument in experience, and everyone interprets the conclusion in his own way. Andre Gide experienceunderstandinglooks Great minds tend toward banality. It is the noblest effort of individualism. But it implies a sort of modesty, which is so rare that it is scarcely found except in the greatest, or in beggars. Andre Gide effortgeniusmind To win ones joy through struggle is better than to yield to melancholy. Andre Gide strugglehappinessinspirational We call "happiness" a certain set of circumstances that makes joy possible. But we call joy that state of mind and emotions that needs nothing to feel happy. Andre Gide mindjoyneeds The most important things to say are those which often I did not think necessary for me to say - because they were too obvious. Andre Gide broken-heartbreakupthinking I advise the young to tell themselves constantly that most often it is up to them alone. Andre Gide adviseyoungchildren We live counterfeit lives in order to resemble the idea we first had of ourselves. Andre Gide identityorderideas The bad novelist constructs his characters; he directs them and makes them speak. The true novelist listens to them and watches them act; he hears their voices even before he knows them. Andre Gide novelistsvoicecharacter A work of art is an exaggeration. Andre Gide exaggerationart-isart If the flower were not attached to its stem, it would flee at the approach of man, like the insect or the bird; for the attribute of man on the earth, at least as long as he does not better understand his role, is to worry and frighten what he is not interested in taming for utilitarian purposes. Man is skillful in mistreating everything he can use Andre Gide flowerworrymen The miser puts his gold pieces into a coffer; but as soon as the coffer is closed, it is as if it were empty. Andre Gide emptypiecesgold The sole art that suits me is that which, rising from unrest, tends toward serenity. Andre Gide serenityrisingart Every perfect action is accompanied by pleasure. By that you can tell what you ought to do. Andre Gide pleasureperfectaction In order to judge properly, one must get away somewhat from what one is judging, after having loved it. This is true of countries, of persons, and of oneself. Andre Gide judgingordercountry The only really Christian art is that which, like St. Francis, does not fear being wedded to poverty. This rises far above art-as-ornament. Andre Gide povertychristianart Sadness is a state of sin. Andre Gide sadnesssinstates The greatest intelligence is precisely the one that suffers the most from its own limitations. Andre Gide intelligencewisdomsuffering Man's first and greatest victory must be won against the gods. Andre Gide greatest-victoryvictorymen Without mysticism man can achieve nothing great. Andre Gide spiritualityachievemen The most gifted natures are perhaps also the most trembling. Andre Gide tremblingnatureliterature
