There is something in us that is wiser than our head.

Whoever wants his judgment to be believed, should express it coolly and dispassionately; for all vehemence springs from the will. And so the judgment might be attributed to the will and not to knowledge, which by its nature is cold.

I observed once to Goethe that when a friend is with us we do not think the same of him as when he is away. He replied, "Yes! because the absent friend is yourself, and he exists only in your head; whereas the friend who is present has an individuality of his own, and moves according to laws of his own, which cannot always be in accordance with those which you form for yourself.

Faith is like love: it does not let itself be forced.

If a man wants to read good books, he must make a point of avoiding bad ones; for life is short, and time and energy limited.

It's the niceties that make the difference fate gives us the hand, and we play the cards.

Man shows his character best in trifles.