If the flower were not attached to its stem, it would flee at the approach of man, like the insect or the bird; for the attribute of man on the earth, at least as long as he does not better understand his role, is to worry and frighten what he is not interested in taming for utilitarian purposes. Man is skillful in mistreating everything he can use

The capacity to get free is nothing; the capacity to be free is the task.

What thwarts us and demands of us the greatest effort is also what can teach us most.

From the satisfaction of desire there may arise, accompanying joy and as it were sheltering behind it, something not unlike despair.

Other people's appetites easily appear excessive when one doesn't share them.

Faith can move mountains; true: mountains of stupidity.

Sadness is a state of sin.