The most gifted members of the human species are at their creative best when they cannot have their way, and must compensate for what they miss by realizing and cultivating their capacities and talents.

Absolute power corrupts even when exercised for humane purposes. The benevolent despot who sees himself as a shepherd of the people still demands from others the submissiveness of sheep. The taint inherent in absolute power is not its inhumanity but its anti-humanity.

There is sublime thieving in all giving. Someone gives us all he has and we are his.

In running away from ourselves we either fall on our neighbor's shoulder or fly at his throat.

The superficiality of many is a result of deep fears. It takes spare time to think things out; it takes free time to mature. People in a hurry may not think well or mature well. The next best is a state of perpetual puerility.

Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many.

There are many who find a good alibi far more attractive than an achievement.