A statement that seems to contradict itself or common sense, but which, on reflection, reveals a truth.
In The Red and the Black
After having instilled in him the habit of reasoning correctly and of not being content with empty words, he took no care to tell him that, for someone not highly regarded, this habit is a crime; for every good argument offends.
Saying that "every good argument offends" sounds contradictory, because reasoning well ought to please, but the sentence proves true for someone little regarded: the habit of reason comes to count as "a crime".
Book I, Chapter 27: First experience of life, the narrator
Those gentlemen, though very noble, thought Julien, are not tedious like the people who dine at Monsieur de La Mole's mansion; and I see why, [...] They allow themselves to be indecent.
Book II, Chapter 6: Manner of pronunciation, Julien Sorel (in thought)
Only the sentence of death honors a man [...], it is the only thing that cannot be bought.
Book II, Chapter 8: Which decoration is the most honorable, Mathilde de La Mole (in thought)
If, despite his poverty, Julien were noble, my love would be nothing but a vulgar folly, merely an unequal alliance; that I would not accept; there would be none of what characterizes great passions: the enormous difficulty to be overcome and the obscure uncertainty of events.
Book II, Chapter 12: He'll be a Danton, Mathilde de La Mole (in thought)
His words, so frank but so stupid, changed everything in an instant: Mathilde, certain of being loved, despised him completely.
Book II, Chapter 18: Cruel moments, the narrator
Yet it is strange that I only came to know the art of enjoying life after seeing its end draw near.
Book II, Chapter 40: Tranquility, Julien Sorel (in thought)
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