When a new truth enters the world, the first stage of reaction to it is ridicule, the second stage is violent opposition, and in the third stage, that truth comes to be regarded as self-evident.

Genius is to other gifts what the carbuncle is to the precious stones. It sends forth its own light, whereas other stones only reflect borrowed light.

Every human perfection is linked to an error which it threatens to turn into

A man of talent will strive for money and reputation; but the spring that moves genius to the production of its works is not as easy to name

A man of correct insight among those who are duped and deluded resembles one whose watch is right while all the clocks in the town give the wrong time.

The reason domestic pets are so lovable and so helpful to us is because they enjoy, quietly and placidly, the present moment.

At bottom, every state regards another as a gang of robbers who will fall upon it as soon as there is an opportunity.