Love and hatred are not blind, but are blinded by the fire they bear within themselves.

Sins are indispensable to every society organized on an ecclesiastical basis; they are the only reliable weapons of power; the priest lives upon sins; it is necessary to him that there be sinning.

It was the sick and decaying who despised the body and earth and invented the heavenly realm and the redemptive drops of blood: but they took even these sweet and gloomy poisons from body and earth. They wanted to escape their own misery, and the stars were too far for them.

The consequences of our actions take hold of us, quite indifferent to our claim that meanwhile we have 'improved.

But eternal liveliness is what counts: what does "eternal life" matter, or life at all?

Whoever thinks much and to good purpose easily forgets his own experiences, but not the thoughts which these experiences have called forth.

The thousand mysteries around us would not trouble but interest us, if only we had cheerful, healthy hearts.