Every man looks out for himself, and he has the happiest life who manages to hoodwink himself best of all.

To begin with unlimited freedom is to end with unlimited despotism.

Beauty would save the world.

'Ever seen a leaf - a leaf from a tree?' 'Yes.' I saw one recently - a yellow one, a little green, wilted at the edges. Blown by the wind. When I was a little boy, I used to shut my eyes in winter and imagine a green leaf, with veins on it, and the sun shining ...' 'What's this - an allegory?' "No; why? Not an allegory - a leaf, just a leaf. A leaf is good. Everything's good.'

It is not the real punishment. The only effectual one, the only deterrent and softening one, lies in the recognition of sin by conscience.

Civilization merely develops man's capacity for a greater variety of sensations, and ... absolutely nothing else.

Is there in the whole world a being who would have the right to forgive and could forgive?