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, The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard (1881). copy citation

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Author Anatole France
Source The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard
Topic fear love
Date 1881
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2123/2123-h/2123-h.htm

Context

“But I did it only through that scientific curiosity which does not exclude feelings of reverence and of piety. May that malediction graven by some one of the first followers of the apostles upon a martyr’s tomb never fall upon me! 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. But the power of love itself weakens and gradually becomes lost with age, like all the other energies of man. Example proves it; and it is this which terrifies me. Am I sure that I have not myself already suffered this great loss?” source