one does not only wish to be understood when one writes; one wishes just as surely not to be understood.

People who, out of an inborn moderation, leave every glass standing only half-emptied refuse to admit that everything in the world has its sediments and dregs.

Once and for all, there are many things I choose not to know.--Wisdom sets limits even to knowledge.

Whoever, at any time, has undertaken to build a new heaven has found the strength for it in his own hell.

The greatest events-they are not our loudest but our stillest hours.

Loving and perishing: it's been a rhyme all these eternities. The will to love: that is, also being willing to die.

Egoism is the law of perspective applied to feelings: what is closest appears large and weighty, and as one moves farther away size and weight decrease.