I was at home then in the world of figures, but not in that of values.

I encountered among my comrades the most varied human traits, from frankness to reserve, from goodness, uprightness and kindness, to brutality and baseness.

The Danish glee: the national version of cheerfulness.

Birth was something that came quite unexpectedly, and afterwards there was one child more in the house.

Just about this time, when in imagination I was so great a warrior, I had good use in real life for more strength, as I was no longer taken to school by the nurse, but instead had myself to protect my brother, two years my junior.

I was not afraid of what I did not like. To overcome dislike of a thing often satisfied one's feeling of honour.

I did not know what it was to be happy for a whole day at a time, scarcely for an hour.