I never felt that there was anything enviable in youth. I cannot recall that any of us, as youths, admired our condition to excess or had a desire to prolong it.

Art is mind and heart and touch as much and more than it is mere instrument, technique - without which however it cannot exist at all.

The ultimate justification of the work of art is to help the spectator to become a work of art himself.

Life has taught me that it is not for our faults that we are disliked and even hated, but for our qualities.

The Renaissance had resulted in the emancipation of the individual, in making him feel that the universe had no other purpose than his happiness. This brought an entirely new answer to the question, 'Why should I do this or that?' It used to be, 'Because self-instituted authority command you.' The answer now was, 'Because it is good for men.' In this lies our greatest debt to the Renaissance, that it instituted the welfare of men as the end of all action.

One can repent even of having repented.

Government lasts as long as the under-taxed can defend themselves against the over-taxed.