Sometimes in conversation the sound of our own voice distracts us and misleads us into making assertions that in no way express our true opinions.

Improvements are invented only by those who can feel that something is not good.

But tell me: how did gold get to be the highest value? Because it is uncommon and useless and gleaming and gentle in its brilliance; it always gives itself. Only as an image of the highest virtue did gold get to be the highest value. The giver's glance gleams like gold. A golden brilliance concludes peace between the moon and the sun. Uncommon is the highest virtue and useless, it is gleaming and gentle in its brilliance: a gift-giving virtue is the highest virtue.

Emerson is a person who lives instinctively on ambrosia - and leaves everything indigestible on his plate.

Immature is the love of the youth, and immature his hatred of man and earth. His mind and the wings of his spirit are still tied down and heavy.

Art depends upon the inexactitude of sight.

A thing can only live through a pious illusion.