There is an innocence in admiration; it is found in those to whom it has never yet occurred that they, too, might be admired some day.

Every word is a preconceived judgment.

He who fights too long against dragons becomes a dragon himself; and if you gaze too long into the abyss, the abyss will gaze into you.

You implanted your highest goal into the heart of those passions: then they became your virtues and joys.

If we lacked curiosity, we should do less for the good of our neighbor. But, under the name of duty or pity, curiosity steals into the home of the unhappy and the needy. Perhaps even in the famous mother-love there is a good deal of curiosity.

There is sense in hoping for recognition in a distant future only when we take it for granted that mankind will remain essentially unchanged, and that whatever is great is not for one age only but will be looked upon as great for all time.

Tolerance is a proof of distrust in one's own ideals.