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

Here is a hero who did nothing but shake the tree as soon as the fruit was ripe. Does this seem to be too small a thing to you? Then take a good look at the tree he shook.

We are so fond of being out among nature, because it has no opinions about us.

Where the past is venerated the clean and those who clean things up should be kept out. Piety is never happy without a little dust, dirt, and rubbish.

Do you call yourself Free? It is your ruling thought that I would hear, and not that you have escaped from a yoke.

It is not the strengths, but the durations of great sentiments that make great men.

In praise there is more obtrusiveness than in blame.