One man is more concerned with the impression he makes on the rest of mankind, another with the impression the rest of mankind makes on him.

If you want to know your true opinion of someone, watch the effect produced in you by the first sight of a letter from him.

There is no doubt that life is given us, not to be enjoyed, but to be overcome; to be got over.

Just as the largest library, badly arranged, is not so useful as a very moderate one that is well arranged, so the greatest amount of knowledge, if not elaborated by our own thoughts, is worth much less than a far smaller volume that has been abundantly and repeatedly thought over.

Style is what gives value and currency to thoughts.

The law of simplicity and naïveté applies to all fine art, for it is compatible with what is most sublime.

Honor means that a man is not exceptional; fame, that he is.