Jules Renard

Wit, wisdom, and aphorisms from The Journal of Jules Renard. Also check out NYRB's edition of Renard's Nature Stories (

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

How quickly joy becomes tiring! I shouldn't want to be too happy for anything in the world. Joy affects the heart like burning ice.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

They believe themselves to be men of action because they take the best seats in railway carriages.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

The air, at midday, burns and hums.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

The one who loves and admires us most is, after all, the one who knows us least.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

To what good are mementos, even photographs? It is comforting that things die, as well as men.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

Reality has killed my imagination, that used to be a fine, rich lady. The other one is so poor that I shall have to go out seeking my bread.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

When Sarah Bernhardt comes down the winding staircase, it looks as though she were standing still, while the staircase turns around her.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

When I left Mme. Sarah Bernhardt I was in a mood to write a fine epic poem, if I had the time.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

And those long-drawn-out days in which one could write an entire book.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

An old peasant naked: what a sight!

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

At night the dead trees stretch out their delicate skeletons.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

When I returned to the country, the morning greeted me with the song of larks sparkling in the air like flames at the ends of tall candles.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

I am made only to listen to the earth and watch it live.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

I am a happy man, for I have renounced happiness.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

Death is comforting: it delivers us from the thought of death.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

One could say of almost all literature that it is too long.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

A stupid faith cannot but displease God.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

Let us stay at home: there we are decent. Let us not go out: our defects wait for us at the door, like flies.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

The best among us has a few small murders to reproach himself with.

[Jules Renard @JulesRenard]

There is nothing like a disciple to show us our faults.