For me writing biographies is impossible, unless they are brief and concise, and these are, I feel, the most eloquent.

It is my express wish that in awarding the [Nobel Prizes] no consideration be given to the nationality of the candidates, but that the most worthy shall receive the prize, whether he be Scandinavian or not.

If I have a thousand ideas and only one turns out to be good, I am satisfied.

To his sister-in-law: What a contrast between us! You live a warm and glowing life, surrounded by loved ones whom you care for and who care for you; you are anchored in contentment. I drift about without rudder or compass, a wreck on the sea of life; I have no memories to cheer me, no pleasant illusions of the future to comfort me, or about me to satisfy my vanity. I have no family to furnish the only kind of survival that concerns us, no friends for the wholesome development of my affections, or enemies for my malice.

It is not sufficient to be worthy of respect in order to be respected.

Worry is the stomach's worst poison.

I am not aware that I have deserved any notoriey, and I have no taste for its buzz.