People usually think according to their inclinations, speak according to their learning and ingrained opinions, but generally act according to custom.
To be able to translate the customs, ideas and appearance of my times as I see them – in a word, to create a living art – this has been my aim.
People will buy anything that is 'one to a customer.
We live always under the weight of the old and odious customs … of our barbarous ancestors.
Writing tends to cheer me; it always soothes my spirit and blesses me with the gift of an innocent, tender, childlike day. It is the sensation of having spent a few hours in my homeland, with my customs, free whims, my total freedom.
I do not understand/The way of foreigners/But I do not despise their customs./Why should you despise yours?
A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom.
We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves.