Confessions of Zeno

It was my desire to protect [my wife] which made me behave for a while like a normal human being. (p 141)

The malade imaginaire was a real invalid ... for his nerves were in such a bad state that they registered disease when there was none.... They might in fact be called perfect nerves, their only disadvantage being that there were very few days when they left me in peace. (p 155)

Feminine beauty can simulate feelings that are wholly foreign to it, just as the canvas on which is painted a battle scene has nothing heroic about it. (p 160)

It is easy to laugh at anyone for being wise after the event, but it is almost as useless to be wise before it. (p 186)

If I am to get quite clean I should need to dissolve in this water. (p 186)

– Italo Svevo, Confessions of Zeno