Scholars are those who have read in books, but thinkers, men of genius, world-enlighteners, and reformers of the human race are those who have read directly in the book of the world.

Because people have no thoughts to deal in, they deal cards, and try and win one another's money. Idiots!

Hatred is an affair of the heart; contempt that of the head.

He who does not enjoy solitude will not love freedom.

The business of the novelist is not to relate great events, but to make small ones interesting.

Religion is the metaphysics of the masses.

What give all that is tragic, whatever its form, the characteristic of the sublime, is the first inkling of the knowledge that the world and life can give no satisfaction, and are not worth our investment in them. The tragic spirit consists in this. Accordingly it leads to resignation.