Authors may be divided into falling stars, planets, and fixed stars: the first have a momentary effect; the second have a much longer duration; but the third are unchangeable, possess their own light, and work for all time.

One man is more concerned with the impression he makes on the rest of mankind, another with the impression the rest of mankind makes on him.

There is one respect in which beasts show real wisdom... their quiet, placid enjoyment of the present moment.

When you look back on your life, it looks as though it were a plot, but when you are into it, it's a mess: just one surprise after another. Then, later, you see it was perfect.

All religions promise a reward beyond life, in eternity, for excellences of the will or heart, but none for excellences of the head or understanding.

A happy life is impos­si­ble; the best that a man can attain is a heroic life.

A man who has not enough originality to think out a new title for his book will be much less capable of giving it new contents.