I have not yet spoken my last word about women. I believe that if a woman succeeds in withdrawing from the mass, or rather raising herself from above the mass, she grows ceaselessly and more than a man.

If there is anything in the world that can really be called a man's property, it is surely that which is the result of his mental activity.

Buying books would be a good thing if one could also buy the time to read them in: but as a rule the purchase of books is mistaken for the appropriation of their contents.

A poet or philosopher should have no fault to find with his age if it only permits him to do his work undisturbed in his own corner; nor with his fate if the corner granted him allows of his following his vocation without having to think about other people.

universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality.

Motives are causes experienced from within.

As a general rule, the longer a man's fame is likely to last, the later it will be in coming; for all excellent products require time for their development.