Émile Zola, The Fortune of the Rougons

"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 Carnavant"

"Kings may usurp thrones, republics may be established, but the town scarcely stirs. Plassan sleeps while Paris fights."

"They again kissed each other and fell asleep. The patch of light on the ceiling now seemed to be assuming the shape of a terrified eye, that stared wildly and fixedly upon the pale, slumbering couple who reeked with crime beneath their very sheets, and dreamt they could see a rain of blood falling in big drops, which turned into golden coins as they plashed upon the floor."

"When lovers kiss on the cheeks, it is because they are searching, feeling for one another's lips. Lovers are made by a kiss."