Théophile Gautier quotes

Eyes so transparent that through them one sees the lucent soul. (Théophile Gautier)
To love is to admire with the heart; to admire is to love with the mind.
Théophile Gautier
It is difficult to obtain the friendship of a cat. It is a philosophical animal... one that does not place its affections thoughtlessly.
Théophile Gautier
I am a man for whom the visible world exists.
Théophile Gautier
Chance is the pseudonym of God when he did not want to sign.
Théophile Gautier
If you are worthy of its affection, a cat will be your friend but never your slave.
Théophile Gautier
The cat is a dilettante in fur.
Théophile Gautier
No one is truly dead until they are no longer loved.
Théophile Gautier
What well-bred woman would refuse her heart to a man who had just saved her life? Not one; and gratitude is a short cut which speedily leads to love.
Théophile Gautier
Virginity, mysticism, melancholy, – three unknown words, – three new maladies brought in by Christ.
Théophile Gautier
There is nothing truly beautiful but that which can never be of any use whatsoever; everything useful is ugly. (Théophile Gautier)
Such in the Landes of our world is the poet's stance; When he receives no wound, his treasure he'll retain. With such deep cut mankind his heart must also lance, To make him spill his verse, his gold tears' gushing rain!
Théophile Gautier
To be born is to have commenced to die.
Théophile Gautier
Yes, the work comes out more fair, From a form that rebels against Handling, Verse, marble, onyx, enamel.
Théophile Gautier
Everything passes.– Only robust art is eternal. The bust outlives the city. And the simple coin Unearthed by a peasant Reveals the image of an emperor.
Théophile Gautier
Art for Art's Sake means, for its adepts, the pursuit of pure beauty – without any other consideration.
Théophile Gautier
Fancy demanding feeling from poetry! That's not the main thing at all. Radiant words, words of light, full of rhythm and music, that's poetry.
Théophile Gautier
Art is beauty, the perpetual invention of detail, the choice of words, the exquisite care of execution.
Théophile Gautier
Yes, the work comes out more beautiful from a material that resists the process, verse, marble, onyx, or enamel.
Théophile Gautier
What I write is not for little girls.
Théophile Gautier
Any man who does not have his inner world to translate is not an artist. (Théophile Gautier)
Books follow morals, and not morals books.
Théophile Gautier
Sooner barbarity than boredom.
Théophile Gautier
Critical lice are like body lice, which desert corpses to seek the living.
Théophile Gautier
I am one of those for whom superfluity is a necessity.
Théophile Gautier