Biography

First well-known female French writer. Her books include "Lélia", "Simon", "Mattéo", "La Mare au Diable", "Consuelo", "François le Champi", "La petite Fadette" and "Elle et Lui" (about the love she shared with Alfred de Musset). A romantic writer who enjoyed writing about nature and country life.

Her father, Maurice Dupin, died when she was four years old. Her mother left and Sand was brought up by her grandmother, noblewoman Mme Dupin de Francueil at Nohant.

Sand's refuge was the place she grew up and spent the most of her life: Nohant's castle, in Berry, in the French countryside.

After her grandmother's death in 1822, she left boarding school and her mother, Sophie-Victoire Delaborde, married her to Baron Dudevant.

As Baroness Dudevant, she politically fought for her republican and socialist ideals (notably during the Empire period).

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

Happiness lies in the consciousness we have of it.

On strategy: You live. No use asking whether life will bring you pleasure or unhappiness, whether it will prove a blessing or a curse. Who could answer these questions? You live, you breathe.

On growth: One changes from day to day...every few years one becomes a new being.

On time: As soon as life becomes bearable we stop analyzing it. A tranquil day is spoiled by being examined.