I was not given to looking at life in a rosy light.

Among the delights of Summer were picnics to the woods.

Any feeling that I was enriching my mind from those surrounding me was unfortunately rare with me.

When I was a little boy I did not, of course, trouble much about my appearance.

He who does not understand a joke, he does not understand Danish.

But when I was twelve years old I caught my first strong glimpse of one of the fundamental forces of existence, whose votary I was destined to be for life - namely, Beauty.

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