That arithmetic is the basest of all mental activities is proved by the fact that it is the only one that can be accomplished by a machine.

There is no doubt that life is given us, not to be enjoyed, but to be overcome; to be got over.

... that when you're buying books, you're optimistically thinking you're buying the time to read them. (Paraphrase of Schopenhauer)

Pride is generally censured and decried, but mainly by those who have nothing to be proud of.

However, for the man who studies to gain insight, books and studies are merely rungs of the ladder on which he climbs to the summit of knowledge. As soon as a rung has raised him up one step, he leaves it behind. On the other hand, the many who study in order to fill their memory do not use the rungs of the ladder for climbing, but take them off and load themselves with them to take away, rejoicing at the increasing weight of the burden. They remain below forever, because they bear what should have bourne them.

Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous without ability.

In the blessings as well as in the ills of life, less depends upon what befalls us than upon the way in which it is met.