You asked me where I generally lived. In my workshop [i.e. in his study] in the mornings and always in the library in the evening. Books are companions even if you don’t open them.

Be amusing: never tell unkind stories; above all, never tell long ones.

We make our fortunes and we call them fate.

One should conquer the world, not to enthrone a man, but an idea; for ideas exist forever.

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime; give a man religion and he will die praying for a fish.

All is race - there is no other truth.

Everyone likes flattery; and when you come to Royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.