The greatest wisdom is to make the enjoyment of the present the supreme object of life; because that is the only reality, all else being merely the play of thought. On the other hand, such a course might just as well be called the greatest folly: for that which in the next moment exists no more, and vanishes utterly, like a dream, can never be worth a serious effort.

Man is the only animal who causes pain to others with no other object than wanting to do so.

The man who sees two or three generations is like one who sits in the conjuror's booth at a fair, and sees the same tricks two or three times. They are meant to be seen only once.

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

Boredom is an evil that is not to be estimated lightly. It can come in the end to real despair. The public authority takes precautions against it everywhere, as against other universal calamities.

The young should early be trained to bear being left alone; for it is a source of happiness and peace of mind.

There are, first of all, two kinds of authors: those who write for the subject's sake, and those who write for writing's sake.