I am often surprised by the cleverness, and now and again by the stupidity, of my dog; and I have similar experiences with mankind.

The art of not reading is a very important one. It consists in not taking an interest in whatever may be engaging the attention of the general public at any particular time. When some political or ecclesiastical pamphlet, or novel, or poem is making a great commotion, you should remember that he who writes for fools always finds a large public. A precondition for reading good books is not reading bad ones: for life is short.

Personal courage is really a very subordinate virtue-a virtue, indeed, in which we are surpassed by the lower animals; or else you would not hear people say, as brave as a lion.

...in the end every one stands alone, and the important thing is who it is that stands alone.

A man of talent will strive for money and reputation; but the spring that moves genius to the production of its works is not as easy to name

We may divide thinkers into those who think for themselves and those who think through others. The latter are the rule and the former the exception. The first are original thinkers in a double sense, and egotists in the noblest meaning of the word.

The general history of art and literature shows that the highest achievements of the human mind are, as a rule, not favourably received at first.