Compassion is the basis of morality.

I love looking at famous people. Because of the way they look. Because of the way photography makes them look famous.

The man who goes up in a balloon does not feel as if he were ascending; he only sees the earth sinking deeper below him.

A writer should never be brief at the expense of being clear.

National character is only another name for the particular form which the littleness, perversity and baseness of mankind take in every country. Every nation mocks at other nations, and all are right.

There is not much to be got anywhere in the world. It is filled with misery and pain; if a man escapes these, boredeom lies in wait for him at every corner. Nay more; it is evil which generally has the upper hand, and folly that makes the most noise. Fate is cruel and mankind pitiable.

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