George Sand (1804-1876) embodied a capacity for prodigious output and passionate living, with a penchant for drama in her everyday life (not the least of which were her countless romantic entanglements). Some put her literary legacy at eighty novels, others at seventy, in addition to several plays and countless shorter works, including: essays, journalistic pieces, and a multi-volume autobiography. It would be nearly impossible for any contemporary woman to emulate such an existence (and even the thought of doing so is exhausting), but she remains a model for creating a full palette of love, productivity, and family.

Though her oversized biography and persona are perhaps better known in the English-speaking world, her work was much admired by many of her literary contemporaries. It was, however, considered unseemly and completely unfeminine by others. Her colorful character and individuality seemed to have eclipsed her literary legacy, not to diminish her work, but for some, she proved it was more important to be courageous and original in one’s life than to be prolific in one’s work.

Major Works

• Indiana
• Mauprat
• Consuelo
• Le Petite Fadette
• Lélia
• La Mare au Diable 

More Information

• George Sand on Wikipedia
• The George Sand Association

Visit George Sand’s home

• Nohant - Nohant, France

George Sand Quotes

“There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.”

“Art is not a study of positive reality, it is the seeking for ideal truth.”

“The trade of authorship is a violent, and indestructible obsession.”

“We cannot tear out a single page of our life, but we can throw the whole book in the fire.”

“One wastes so much time, one is so prodigal of life, at twenty! Our day’s of winter count for double. That is the compensation of the old.” (In a letter to Joseph Dessauer, July 5, 1868)

“I am more than ever intent upon following a literary career. In spite of the repugnance which I sometimes experience, despite the days of idleness and fatigue which cause me to break off my work, in spite of the life, more than quiet, which I lead here, I feel that henceforth my existence has an aim. I have a purpose in view, a task before me, and, if I may use the word, a passion. For the profession of writing is nothing else but a violent, indestructible passion. When it has once entered people’s heads it never leaves them.” (From a letter to a friend, Jules Boucoiran, March, 1831)

“One writes for all the world, for all who need to be initiated; when one is not understood, one is resigned and recommences. When one is understood, one rejoices and continues. There lies the whole secret of our persevering labors and of our love of art. What is art without the hearts and minds on which it pours? A sun which would not project rays and would give life to no one.” (From a letter to Gustave Flaubert, 1866)

“The artist’s vocation is to send light into the human heart.”

“Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.”