Le Livre De Monelle
1894
Le Livre De Monelle, published in 1894 by Marcel Schwob, is a novel that explores themes of identity, compassion, and the ephemeral nature of human connections through the character Monelle. The narrative unfolds through a series of evocative stories and philosophical reflections, highlighting the loneliness and fleeting relationships of young women, whom Monelle likens to 'small prostitutes.' The book's exploration of historical figures and the necessity of destruction for rebirth adds depth to its philosophical inquiry, making it a notable work in 19th-century French literature.
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“Look: each moment is a cradle and a casket: may all life and all death seem strange to you.””
— Marcel Schwob
“May your course not run from one end to the other; for such a course does not exist; but may every step you take mark a redressed projection.With your left foot you shall wipe out the footprint of your right foot.””
— Marcel Schwob
“Do not be surprised,' she said. 'It is I, and it is not I; You shall find me again, and you shall lose me; Once more shall I come among you; for few men have seen me, and none has understood me; And you shall forget me, and you shall recognize me, and you shall forget me.””
— Marcel Schwob
“It was at this time that people found along the roads and highways little children, tiny vagabonds who refused to grow up. Little girls of seven years knelt and prayed that they might not grow older, for puberty seemed to them a sign of mortality.””
— Marcel Schwob
“Behold the word: Destroy, destroy, destroy. Destroy within yourself; destroy what surrounds you. Make space for your soul and for all other souls.Destroy all good and all evil. Their ruins are the same.Destroy the old dwellings of man and old the dwellings of the soul; what is dead is a distorting mirror.Destroy, for all creation comes from destruction.And for higher benevolence you must annihilate lower benevolence. And thus new good appears saturated with evil.””
— Marcel Schwob
“Monelle grew quiet and looked at me: I came from the night, she said, and I shall return to the night. For I too am a young prostitute.””
— Marcel Schwob
“The very desire for the new is merely the hunger of the soul seeking form””
— Marcel Schwob
“With your left foot you shall wipe out the footprint of your right foot.””
— Marcel Schwob
“Y Monelle agregó: Te hablaré de los momentos. [...]Piensa en el momento. Todo pensamiento que dura es una contradicción.Ama el momento. Todo amor que dura es odio.Sé sincero con el momento. Toda sinceridad que dura es una mentira.Sé justo con el momento. Toda justicia que dura es injusticia.Actúa en función del momento. Toda acción que dura es un reino difunto.Siente la felicidad del momento. Toda felicidad que dura es desgracia.Ten respecto por los momentos y no establezcas relaciones entre las cosas. [...]””
— Marcel Schwob
