Henri-Frédéric Amiel Quotes: Sources, Meanings & Themes
Browse quotations by Henri-Frédéric Amiel with named works, context notes, meanings and recurring themes.
Source identified1
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“Do no violence to yourself, respect in yourself the oscillations of feeling.”
Meaning & context
Self-respect here means refusing to force inner life into an artificial uniformity; changing feelings can be observed and treated with patience instead of self-aggression.
Source details
Amiel's Journal, entry dated April 28, 1852, in Mary Augusta Ward’s public-domain translation; Amiel counsels patience with the movement of feeling.
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“The gentleman, then, is the man who is master of himself, who respects himself, and makes others respect him.”
Meaning & context
Amiel links dignity with self-command and self-respect, suggesting that social respect is strongest when it grows from conduct and standards rather than from demanded recognition.
Source details
Amiel's Journal, entry dated April 6, 1866, in Mary Augusta Ward’s public-domain English translation; the entry reflects on the qualities of a gentleman.
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“Only be at peace with self, live in the presence of God, in communion with Him, and leave the guidance of existence to those universal powers against whom thou canst do nothing!”
Meaning & context
Amiel combines inward reconciliation with surrender of what cannot be controlled, describing peace as a practice of self-settlement, faith, and release rather than total command over events.
Source details
Amiel's Journal, entry dated July 16, 1848, in Mary Augusta Ward’s public-domain English translation of selections from Journal Intime.
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“Descend still deeper into yourself, until you hear nothing but a clear and undivided voice, a voice which does away with doubt and brings with it persuasion, light and serenity.”
Meaning & context
Amiel portrays reflection as a movement beneath mental noise toward a clearer judgment, where conviction is accompanied by serenity rather than by restless argument with oneself.
Source details
Amiel's Journal, 1851 diary entry, translated by Mary Augusta Ward; the passage belongs to Amiel’s introspective effort to reach clarity beneath divided feeling.
