Genuine contempt, on the other hand, is the unsullied conviction of the worthlessness of another.

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.

If anyone spends almost the whole day in reading...he gradually loses the capacity for thinking...This is the case with many learned persons; they have read themselves stupid

Always to see the general in the particular is the very foundation of genius.

Students and scholars of all kinds and of every age aim, as a rule, only at information, not insight. They make it a point of honour to have information about everything, every stone, plant, battle, or experiment and about all books, collectively and individually. It never occurs to them that information is merely a means to insight, but in itself is of little or no value.

People of Wealth and the so called upper class suffer the most from boredom.

Vulgar people take huge delight in the faults and follies of great men.