A man can do what he wants, but not want what he wants.

To be alone is the fate of all great minds—a fate deplored at times, but still always chosen as the less grievous of two evils.

In our monogamous part of the world, to marry means to halve one's rights and double one's duties.

Wicked thoughts and worthless efforts gradually set their mark on the face, especially the eyes.

For the world is Hell, and men are on the one hand the tormented souls and on the other the devils in it.

Imagination is strong in a man when that particular function of the brain which enables him to observe is roused to activity without any necessary excitement of the sense. Accordingly, we find that imagination is active just in proportion as our sense are not excited by external objects. A long period of solitude, whether in prison or in a sick room; quiet, twilight, darkness-these are the things that promote its activity; and under their influence it comes into play of itself.

The conviction that the world and man is something that had better not have been, is of a kind to fill us with indulgence towards one another.