Scaramouche is an historical novel by Rafael Sabatini, originally published in 1921. A romantic adventure, Scaramouche tells the story of a young lawyer during the French Revolution. In the course of his adventures he becomes an actor portraying "Scaramouche" . He also becomes a revolutionary, politician, and fencing-master, confounding his enemies with his powerful orations and swordsmanship. He is forced by circumstances to change sides several times. The book also depicts his transformation from cynic to idealist.
“He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.”
Rafael Sabatini book Scaramouche
This is the opening line of the novel. Sabatini used it as his epitaph.
Variant: He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad. And that was all his patrimony.
Source: Scaramouche (1921), Ch. I: "The Republican"
“… it is human nature, I suppose, to be futile and ridiculous.”
Rafael Sabatini book Scaramouche
Source: Scaramouche
“But I like my madness. There is a thrill in it unknown to such sanity as yours.”
Rafael Sabatini book Scaramouche
Book 1, Chapter 9
Source: Scaramouche
Rafael Sabatini book Scaramouche
Book II : Chapter 11. The Fracas at the Theatre Feydau
Scaramouche (1921)
