Our religion is itself profoundly sad—a religion of universal anguish, and one which, because of its very catholicity, grants full liberty to the individual and asks no better than to be celebrated in each man’s own language—so long as he knows anguish and is a painter.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Religion
Every idea is endowed of itself with immortal life, like a human being. All created form, even that which is created by man, is immortal. For form is independent of matter: molecules do not constitute form.
—Charles Baudelaire
Time is an avid gambler who has no need to cheat to win every time.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Time Management
Every man who does not accept the conditions of life sells his soul.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Acceptance
There are moments of existence when time and space are more profound, and the awareness of existence is immensely heightened.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Awareness
In putting off what one has to do, one runs the risk of never being able to do it.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Procrastination, Inaction, Getting Going
We are weighed down, every moment, by the conception and the sensation of Time. And there are but two means of escaping and forgetting this nightmare: pleasure and work. Pleasure consumes us. Work strengthens us. Let us choose.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Time, Time Management
I have to confess that I had gambled on my soul and lost it with heroic insouciance and lightness of touch. The soul is so impalpable, so often useless, and sometimes such a nuisance, that I felt no more emotion on losing it than if, on a stroll, I had mislaid my visiting card.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Gambling, Soul
It is unfortunately very true that, without leisure and money, love can be no more than an orgy of the common man. Instead of being a sudden impulse full of ardor and reverie, it becomes a distastefully utilitarian affair.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Love
Life is a hospital in which every patient is possessed by the desire of changing his bed. One would prefer to suffer near the fire, and another is certain he would get well if he were by the window.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Reality, Opportunities
The habit of doing one’s duty drives away fear.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Anxiety, Fear
It is necessary to work, if not from inclination, at least from despair. Everything considered, work is less boring than amusing oneself.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Work, Boredom
Nothing can be done except little by little.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: One Step at a Time
The poet is like the prince of clouds
Who haunts the tempest and laughs at the archer;
Exiled on the ground in the midst of jeers,
His giant wings prevent him from walking.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Poetry
Everything that is beautiful and noble is the product of reason and calculation.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Thought
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn’t exist.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Evil
There is no such thing as a long piece of work, except one that you dare not start.
—Charles Baudelaire
A multitude of small delights constitute happiness.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Happiness
It is from the womb of art that criticism was born.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Art, Critics, Criticism
Inspiration comes of working every day.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Work
There are as many kinds of beauty as there are habitual ways of seeking happiness.
—Charles Baudelaire
Topics: Beauty
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