A poet's work consists less in seeking words for his ideas than in seeking ideas for his words and predominant rhythms. — Paul Valery Art Copy Share Image
A man is a poet if difficulties inherent in his art provide him with ideas; he is not a poet if they… — Paul Valery Art Copy Share Image
Every social system is more or less against nature, and at every moment nature is at work to reclaim her rights. — Paul Valery Every moment Copy Share Image
“Everything has not been lost, but everything has sensed that it might perish.” — Paul Valéry Copy Share Image
If the state is strong, it crushes us. If it is weak, we perish. — Paul Valery Crush Copy Share Image
A difficulty is a light. An insurmountable difficulty is a sun. — Paul Valery Adversity Copy Share Image
“She is entirely in her closed eyes, and quite alone with her soul, in the bosom of the most intimate attention... She… — Paul Valéry Copy Share Image
“The attentive reading of a book is really a continuous commentary, a succession of notes that emanate from the inner voice.” — Paul Valéry Copy Share Image
History justifies whatever we want it to. It teaches absolutely nothing, for it contains everything and gives examples of everything. — Paul Valery Copy Share Image
It seems to me that the soul, when alone with itself and speaking to itself, uses only a small number of words,… — Paul Valery Copy Share Image
From the moment that photography appeared, the descriptive genre began to invade Letters... In verse as in prose the décor and exterior… — Paul Valery Copy Share Image
Thanks to photography, the eye grew accustomed to anticipate what it should see and to see it; and it learned not to… — Paul Valery Copy Share Image
Oh, hasten not this loving act, Rapture where self and not-self meet: My life has been the awaiting you, Your footfall was… — Paul Valery Copy Share Image
Liberty is the hardest test that one can inflict on a people. To know how to be free is not given equally… — Paul Valery Equality Copy Share Image
Latent in every man is a venom of amazing bitterness, a black resentment; something that curses and loathes life, a feeling of… — Paul Valery Anger Copy Share Image
You have certainly observed the curious fact that a given word which is perfectly clear when you hear it or use it… — Paul Valery Copy Share Image
Whoever wants to accomplish great things must devote to a lot of profound thought to details. — Paul Valery Copy Share Image
The great virtues of the German people have created more evils than idleness ever did vices — Paul Valery Character Copy Share Image
One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. — Paul Valery Copy Share Image
Every man expects some miracle — either from his mind or from his body or from someone else or from events. — Paul Valery Body Copy Share Image
The only treaties that ought to count are those which would effect a settlement between ulterior motives. — Paul Valery Copy Share Image
“At the end of the mind, the body. But at the end of the body, the mind.” — Paul Valery Copy Share Image
The purpose of psychology is to give us a completely different idea of the things we know best. — Paul Valery Psychology Copy Share Image
Serious-minded people have few ideas. People with ideas are never serious. — Paul Valery Ideas Copy Share Image
“Degas is one of the very few painters who have given the floor its true importance.” — Paul Valéry Artist Copy Share Image
Talent without genius isn't much, but genius without talent is nothing whatsoever. — Paul Valery Genius Copy Share Image
Thought must be hidden in the verse like nutritional virtue in a fruit. — Paul Valery Art Copy Share Image
