“ She [Nana] listened to his [Steiner's] propositions, turning them down every time with a shake of the head and that provocative laughter which is peculiar to full-bodied blondes. Emile Zola
“ She was cold by nature, self-love predominating over passion; rather than being virtuous, she preferred to have her pleasures all to herself. Emile Zola
“ A new dynasty is never founded without a struggle. Blood makes good manure. It will be a good thing for the Rougon family to be founded on a massacre, like many illustrious families."--Monsieur de Car… Emile Zola
“ Men were springing up, a black avenging host was slowly germinating in the furrows, thrusting upward for the harvests of future ages. And very soon their germination would crack the earth asunder. Emile Zola
“ Kings may usurp thrones, republics may be established, but the town scarcely stirs. Plassan sleeps while Paris fights. Emile Zola
“ Her son would be incomparably handsome, good and powerful. He would be the expected Messiah; it is fortunate for humanity that all mothers have this pathetic faith, without it mankind would not have t… Emile Zola
“ He [Muffat] experienced a sense of pleasure mingled with remorse, the sort of pleasure peculiar to those Catholics whom the fear of hell spurs on to commit sin. Emile Zola
“ Never subject to the rules, believing that the correct judgement and healthy nature keep her in the honesty she lived in. Emile Zola
“ At the street corner, a one-storey house built of freestone, but repulsively decrepit and filthy, seemed to command the entrance, like a gaol. And here, indeed, lived La Méchain, like a vigilant propr… Emile Zola
“ Monsieur Josserand died very quietly - a victim of his own honesty. He had lived a useless life, and he went off, worthy to the last, weary of all the petty things in life, done to death by the heartl… Emile Zola
“ The past was but the cemetery of our illusions: one simply stubbed one's toes on the gravestones. Emile Zola
“ For a few moments, raising his arms desperately, the Reverend Mouret implored Heaven. His shoulder-blades cracked, with such fantastic force did he pray. But soon enough his arms fell to his sides, hi… Emile Zola
“ The festivity had reached that apogee of joy when you face the happy fate of being crushed to death. Emile Zola
“ When lovers kiss on the cheeks, it is because they are searching, feeling for one another's lips. Lovers are made by a kiss. Emile Zola
“ Hélène, her eyes once more raised and remote, was deep in a dream. She was Lady Rowena, she was in love, with the deep peaceful passion of a noble soul. This spring morning, the loveliness of the grea… Emile Zola
“ In Paris, everything's for sale: wise virgins, foolish virgins, truth and lies, tears and smiles. Emile Zola
“ The Empire was on the point of turning Paris into the bawdy house of Europe. The gang of fortune-seekers who had succeeded in stealing a throne required a reign of adventures, shady transactions, sold… Emile Zola
“ There Albine lay, panting, exhausted by love, her hands clutched closer and closer to her heart, breathing her last. She parted her lips, seeking the kiss which should obliterate her, and then the hya… Emile Zola
