To desire to be what one can be is purpose in life. There are no exterior forces. There are only interior forces. Who squanders talent praises death.

Real apprenticeship is ultimately always to the self.

a. Critics: people who make monuments out of books. b. Biographers: people who make books out of monuments. c. Poets: people who raze monuments. d. Publishers: people who sell rubble. e. Readers: people who buy it.

We have had, alas, and still have, the doubtful habit of reverence. Above all, we respect things as they are.

In saying what is obvious, never choose cunning. Yelling works better.

I would distinguish between a visitor and a pilgrim: both will come to a place and go away again, but a visitor arrives, a pilgrim is restored. A visitor passes through a place; the place passes through the pilgrim.

It is the function of a liberal university not to give right answers, but to ask right questions.