But at the same time, in reality, what a difference there is between the world today, and what it used to be! And with the passage of more time, some two or three hundred years, say, people will look back at our own times with horror, or with sneering laughter, because all of our present day life will appear so clumsy, and burdensome, extraordinarily inept and strange. Yes, certainly, what a life it will be then, what a life!

In descriptions of nature one must seize on small details, grouping them so that when the reader closes his eyes he gets a picture.

They say philosophers and wise men are indifferent. Wrong. Indifference is a paralysis of the soul, a premature death.

Once a man gets a fixed idea, there's nothing to be done.

All saints have past and all sinners have a future.

People are far more sincere and good-humored at speeding their parting guests than on meeting them.

..when one has no real life, one lives by mirages. It's still better than nothing.