A man must have grown old and lived long in order to see how short life is.

Physics is unable to stand on its own feet, but needs a metaphysics on which to support itself, whatever fine airs it may assume towards the latter.

There is only one healing force, and that is nature; in pills and ointments there is none. At most they can give the healing force of nature a hint about where there is something for it to do.

The safest way of not being very miserable is not to expect to be very happy.

Style is the physiognomy of the mind. It is more infallible than that of the body. To imitate the style of another is said to be wearing a mask. However beautiful it may be, it is through its lifelessness insipid and intolerable, so that even the most ugly living face is more engaging.

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.

Any foolish boy can stamp on a beetle, but all the professors in the world cannot make a beetle.