It is with trifles, and when he is off guard, that a man best reveals his character.

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.

That which knows all things and is known by none is the subject.

Will power is to the mind like a strong blind man who carries on his shoulders a lame man who can see.

Honor has not to be won; it must only not be lost.

This world could not have been the work of an all-loving being, but that of a devil, who had brought creatures into existence in order to delight in the sight of their sufferings.

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