A work of art contains its verification in itself: artificial, strained concepts do not withstand the test of being turned into images; they fall to pieces, turn out to be sickly and pale, convince no one. Works which draw on truth and present it to us in live and concentrated form grip us, compellingly involve us, and no one ever, not even ages hence, will come forth to refute them.

When we feel that we are not sufficiently respected, we should ask ourselves whether we are living as we should.

A fish does not campaign against fisheries-it only tries to slip through the mesh.

Yes, you live with your feet in the mud and there's no time to be thinking about how you got in or how you're going to get out.

...skepticism can never provide firm ground under a man's feet. And perhaps, after all, we need firm ground.

Patriotism means unqualified and unwavering love for the nation, which implies not uncritical eagerness to serve, not support for unjust claims, but frank assessment of its vices and sins, and penitence for them.

In all probability an outburst of desperation in the midst of general submissiveness will always help.