You become a good writer just as you become a good joiner: by planing down your sentences. Anatole France More Quotes by Anatole France More Quotes From Anatole France The law in its majesty prohibits rich and poor alike from sleeping under bridges. Anatole France bridgeslawsleep We thank God for having created this world, and praise Him for having made another, quite different one, where the wrongs of this one are corrected. Anatole France thank-goddifferentworld Truth possesses within herself a penetrating force, unknown alike to error and falsehood. I say 'truth' and you understand my meaning. For the beautiful words truth and justice need not to be defined in order to be understood in their true sense. Anatole France errorsbeautifulorder For the majority of people , though they do not know what to do with this life , long for another that shall have no end . Anatole France majoritylongpeople The duty of literature is to note what counts, and to light up what is suited to the light. If it ceases to choose and to love, it becomes like a woman who gives herself without preference. Anatole France lightliteraturegiving One thing above all gives charm to men's thoughts, and this is unrest. A mind that is not uneasy irritates and bores me. Anatole France mindgivingmen God, conquered, will become Satan; Satan, conquering, will become God. May the fates spare me this terrible lot; I love the Hell which formed my genius. I love the Earth where I have done some good, if it be possible to do any good in this fearful world where beings live but by rapine. Anatole France satanicfategenius The impotence of God is infinite. Anatole France infinitereligiousgod An old philosopher said to Monsieur Coignard, a Reverend Father: 'You are a pig!' To which Abad Coignard answered: 'You flatter me, sir. But unfortunately, I'm only a man.' Anatole France animalmenfather America, where thanks to Congress, there are forty million laws to enforce the Ten Commandments. Anatole France thankslawamerica Universal peace will be realized, not because man will become better, but because a new order of things, a new science, new economic necessities, will impose peace. Anatole France menpeaceorder Irony and pity are two good counselors: one, in smiling, makes life pleasurable; the other, who cries, makes it sacred. Anatole France inspirelifetwo Chance is perhaps the pseudonym of God when he did not want to sign. Anatole France pseudonymsliteraturegod The wonder is, not that the field of stars is so vast, but that man has measured it. Anatole France starsmenscience Never lend books, for no one ever returns them Anatole France libraryreadingbook It is remarkable how great an influence our clothes have on our moral state. Anatole France clothesmoralinfluence History books that contain no lies are extremely dull. Anatole France booklyinghistory The Future is hidden even from those who are forging it. Anatole France inspirational All the good writers of confessions, from Augustine onwards, are men who are still a little in love with their sins. Anatole France augustinelittlesmen I ought not to fear to survive my own people so long as there are men in the world; for there are always some whom one can love. Anatole France menlongpeople