Émile Zola Quotes in The Life of Emile Zola (1937)

Émile Zola: At this solemn moment, in the presence of this tribunal, which is the representative of human justice, before France, before the whole world, I swear that Dreyfus is innocent! By all that I have won, by all that I have written to spread the spirit of France, I swear that he is innocent. May all that melt away; may my name perish if Dreyfus be not innocent. He is innocent.

Émile Zola: Why didn't Picquart say anything?

Lucie Dreyfus: Colonel Picquart is a good officer. He kept silent at the request of his superiors.

Émile Zola: You mean they KNEW and they ordered him to suppress the truth? Why,that's monstrous!

Émile Zola: [reading from his letter "I Accuse"] I shall tell the truth. Because if I did not, my nights would be haunted by the spectre of an innocent man expiating under the most frightful torture a crime he never committed.

La Rue: We've been watching your writings, young man. You're a troublemaker! These articles of yours, attacking our leading men of letters, the arts! Criticizing the civic authorities!

Émile Zola: Perhaps you know of something better for me to criticize?

Émile Zola: Life is tricky.

Émile Zola: What does it matter if an individual is shattered - if only justice is resurrected?

Émile Zola: This Esterhazy is one of the most glorious liars that ever drew breath. Why, the authority of it, the poise; the man's a genius!