Alexandre Dumas

Three Musketeers

Modern influential 139 sayings

Sayings by Alexandre Dumas

The wretched and the miserable should turn to their fellow sufferers rather than to the happy for sympathy and advice.

1844 — From 'The Count of Monte Cristo'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The sum of all villainies is to deceive oneself.

1844 — From 'The Three Musketeers'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The best way to make a man happy is to give him a chance to be generous.

1844 — From 'The Count of Monte Cristo'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The man who has no imagination has no wings.

1844 — From 'The Three Musketeers'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

All for one, and one for all.

1844 — From 'The Three Musketeers'. While iconic, it's not controversial, but essential to include for Duma…
Controversial Unverifiable

There are some wounds that time cannot heal.

1844 — From 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.
Controversial Unverifiable

Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. You must look in the storm's eye, and not flinch.

1844 — From 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.
Controversial Confirmed

Hatred is blind; anger is a fool.

1844 — From 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.
Controversial Unverifiable

How can I be a slave, when I was born free?

1843 — From 'Georges', a novel dealing with issues of race and slavery, reflecting Dumas's own mixed herita…
Controversial Unverifiable

The only way to escape the responsibility of your actions is to die.

1844 — From 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.
Controversial Unverifiable

God is always there, but he helps those who help themselves.

1844 — From 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.
Controversial Unverifiable

The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.

c. 1840 — General observation, widely attributed to Dumas.
Controversial Unverifiable

Woman is a charming creature who, with a kiss, can transport you to paradise or hell.

c. 1840 — From his writings, reflecting a romantic yet somewhat stereotypical view of women.
Controversial Unverifiable

I am a man who has tasted every pleasure and every sorrow.

c. 1850 — Autobiographical statement.
Controversial Unverifiable

What is history? An agreed-upon fable.

1844 — From 'The Count of Monte Cristo' (often paraphrased, but the sentiment is there).
Controversial Unverifiable

It is not the business of the law to punish men for their thoughts.

c. 1840 — From his writings, advocating for freedom of thought.
Controversial Unverifiable

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

c. 1840 — While a popular saying, its direct attribution to Dumas is debated. Similar sentiments appear in 'Th…
Controversial Unverifiable

The world is a comedy to those who think, a tragedy to those who feel.

N/A — Often attributed to Horace Walpole, but sometimes associated with Dumas as well. Caution advised.
Controversial Unverifiable

Love is the most powerful and dangerous of all emotions.

c. 1840 — From his romantic novels.
Controversial Unverifiable

To suffer is to live.

c. 1840 — Philosophical statement.
Controversial Unverifiable