Honoré de Balzac

Name: The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction
Author: Honoré de Balzac

The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (1829)

Summary

“The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction”, published in 1829, is a work by Honoré de Balzac. It explores elements such as author, marriage and demon.

Quotes from The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (Honoré de Balzac)

Honoré de Balzac, The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (1829)

“ Then when he saw he had attracted the author's attention he spelt out, in a voice alluring as the tones of an harmonica, Physiology of Marriage! But, almost always he appeared at night during my dreams, gentle as some fairy guardian; he tried by words of sweetness to subdue the soul which he would appropriate to himself. While he attracted, he also scoffed at me; supple as a woman's mind, cruel as a tiger, his friendliness was more formidable than his hatred, for he never yielded a caress without also inflicting a wound. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Honoré de Balzac, The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (1829)

“ It was perhaps the household genius of the honorable deputies who sit in the centre of the Chamber.
"Wouldn't it be better," it said, "to let things be as they are? Are things so bad? We ought to believe in marriage as we believe in the immortality of the soul; and you are certainly not making a book to advertise the happiness of marriage. You will surely conclude that among a million of Parisian homes happiness is the exception. You will find perhaps that there are many husbands disposed to abandon their wives to you; but there is not a single son who will abandon his mother. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Honoré de Balzac, The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (1829)

“ Tears, shame, hatred, terror, secret crime, bloody wars, families without a head, and social misery rose like a sudden line of phantoms before him when he read the solemn word ADULTERY! Later on, when he became acquainted with the most cultivated circles of society, the author perceived that the rigor of marriage laws was very generally modified by adultery. He found that the number of unhappy homes was larger than that of happy marriages. In fact, he was the first to notice that of all human sciences that which relates to marriage was the least progressive. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Honoré de Balzac, The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (1829)

“ Amid all the distractions of the world and of life, the author always heard a voice ringing in his ears and mockingly revealing the secrets of things at the very moment he was watching a woman as she danced, smiled, or talked. Just as Mephistopheles pointed out to Faust in that terrific assemblage at the Brocken, faces full of frightful augury, so the author was conscious in the midst of the ball of a demon who would strike him on the shoulder with a familiar air and say to him: "Do you notice that enchanting smile? It is a grin of hatred." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Honoré de Balzac, The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (1829)

“ Soon this mass of ideas became harmonized, took life, seemed, as it were, to become a living individual and moved in the midst of those domains of fancy, where the soul loves to give full rein to its wild creations. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Honoré de Balzac, The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (1829)

“ In literature, analysis and investigation prevail, and the wearying of the reader increases in proportion with the egotism of the writer. This is one of the greatest misfortunes that can befall a book, and the present author has been quite aware of it. He has therefore so arranged the topics of this long essay as to afford resting places for the reader. This method has been successfully adopted by a writer, who produced on the subject of Taste a work somewhat parallel to that which is here put forth on the subject of Marriage. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Honoré de Balzac, The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (1829)

“ Scarcely had the Countess Van Ostroem expired when the three co-heirs exchanged looks of suspicion, and thinking no more about their aunt, began to examine the mysterious floor. As they were Belgians their calculations were as rapid as their glances. An agreement was made by three words uttered in a low voice that none of them should leave the chamber. A servant was sent to fetch a carpenter. Their collateral hearts beat excitedly as they gathered round the treasured flooring, and watched their young apprentice giving the first blow with his chisel. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Honoré de Balzac, The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (1829)

“ With regard to marriage he has here arranged matters which represent what everybody thinks but no one dares to say; but has he not also exposed himself to public displeasure by expressing the mind of the public? Perhaps, however, the eclecticism of the present essay will save it from condemnation. All the while that he indulges in banter the author has attempted to popularize certain ideas which are particularly consoling. He has almost always endeavored to lay bare the hidden springs which move the human soul. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Honoré de Balzac, The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (1829)

“ The family in the east is entirely different from the family in the west. Man is the servant of nature, and the institutions of society are grafts, not spontaneous growths of nature. Laws are made to suit manners, and manners vary.
"Marriage must therefore undergo the gradual development towards perfection to which all human affairs submit."
These words, pronounced in the presence of the Conseil d'État by Napoleon during the discussion of the civil code, produced a profound impression upon the author of this book ”

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Source: Wikisource

Honoré de Balzac, The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (1829)

“ While undertaking to defend the most material interests of man, judging them or condemning them, he will perhaps bring to light many sources of intellectual delight. But the author does not foolishly claim always to put forth his pleasantries in the best of taste ”

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Source: Wikisource

Honoré de Balzac, The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (1829)

“ In fact, we prefer to raise a man to our own height rather than to have to climb up to his. Talent has great successes for us to share in, but the fool affords enjoyment to us; and we would sooner hear said 'that is a very handsome man' than to see our lover elected to the Institute. ”

Honoré de Balzac

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Quotes from The Physiology of Marriage — Introduction (Honoré de Balzac)

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