Every word has its fragrance: there is a harmony and a disharmony of fragrances, and hence of words.

He who seeks intelligence lacks intelligence.

Man demands truth and fulfills this demand in moral intercourse with other men; this is the basis of all social life. One anticipates the unpleasant consequences of reciprocal lying. From this there arises the duty of truth. We permit epic poets to lie because we expect no detrimental consequences in this case. Thus the lie is permitted where it is considered something pleasant. Assuming that it does no harm, the lie is beautiful and charming.

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.

It was a subtle refinement of God to learn Greek when he wished to write a book – and that he did not learn it better.

The best way to give assistance to those who are deeply embarrassed and to calm them down is to praise them decisively.

When one has finished building one's house, one suddenly realizes that in the process one has learned something that one really needed to know in the worst way - before one began.