When we stand the truth on its head we generally fail to notice that our head is not standing where it should be standing either.

Help thyself: then everyone will help thee too. Principle of Christian charity.

Do not talk about giftedness, inborn talents! One can assume great men of all kinds who were very little gifted. They acquired greatness, became “geniuses” (as we put it), through qualities the lack of which no one who knew what they were would boast of: they all possessed that seriousness of the efficient workman which first learns to construct the parts properly before it ventures to fashion a great whole; they allowed themselves time for it, because they took more pleasure in making the little, secondary things well than in the effect of a dazzling whole.

In art the end does not sanctify the means: but sacred means employed here can sanctify the end.

The truth is ugly: we have art so as not to perish from the truth.

Genuine historical knowledge requires nobility of character, a profound understanding of human existence - not detachment and objectivity.

Only strong personalities can endure history, the weak are extinguished by it.