All great men are play actors of their own ideal.

I know of no better life purpose than to perish in attempting the great and the impossible.

It is not things, but opinions about things that have absolutely no existence, which have so deranged mankind!

A little wisdom is indeed possible; but this blessed security have I found in all things, that they prefer--to DANCE on the feet of chance.

Not contentment, but more power; not peace at any price, but war; not virtue, but efficiency (virtue in the Renaissance sense, virtu , virtue free of moral acid).

The lack of closeness among friends is a fault that cannot be reprimanded without becoming incurable.

The dyed-in-the-wool teacher takes everything seriously only with respect to his students--himself included.