A refined nature is vexed by knowing that some one owes it thanks, a coarse nature by knowing that it owes thanks to some one.

A friend should be a master at guessing and keeping still: you must not want to see everything.

Arrogance on the part of the meritorious is even more offensive to us than the arrogance of those without merit: for merit itself is offensive.

The love of indulgence is rooted in the depths of a man's heart. His soul would prefer to share the excessive and unrestrained; but his soul cannot love.

Wherever progress is to ensue, deviating natures are of greatest importance.

A man who has depths in his shame meets his destiny and his delicate decisions upon paths which few ever reach . . .

Alas, where is there still a sea in which one could drown: thus our lament resounds – across shallow swamps.