In our early youth we sit before the life that lies ahead of us like children sitting before the curtain in a theatre, in happy and tense anticipation of whatever is going to appear. Luckily we do not know what really will appear.

With people of limited ability modesty is merely honesty. But with those who possess great talent it is hypocrisy.

It often happens that we blurt out things that may in some kind of way be harmful to us, but we are silent about things that may make us look ridiculous; because in this case effect follows very quickly on cause.

Life to the great majority is only a constant struggle for mere existence, with the certainty of losing it at last.

Women remain children all their lives, for they always see only what is near at hand, cling to the present, take the appearance of a thing for reality, and prefer trifling matters to the most important.

Life without pain has no meaning.

Every child is in a way a genius; and every genius is in a way a child.