In morals, truth is but little prized when it is a mere sentiment, and only attains its full value when realized in the world as fact. Ernest Renan
"Murder is born in love, and love attains the greatest intensity in murder.” (Garden of Tortures) Octave Mirbeau
Man is the result of slow growth; that is why he occupies the position he does in animal life. What does a pup amount to that has gained its growth in a few days or weeks, beside a man who only attains it in as many years. Alexander Graham Bell
Life is a vexatious trap; when a thinking man reaches maturity and attains to full consciousness he cannot help feeling that he is in a trap from which there is no escape. Anton Chekhov
The love of domination never attains more than a factitious elevation, that is sure to make enemies of all its neighbours. Jean-Baptiste Say
The gourd that never leaves the boozing centre attains cracks. African Proverb