But my doubt would not be overcome. Kierkegaard had declared that it was only to the consciousness of sin that Christianity was not horror or madness. For me it was sometimes both.

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.

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

But I did not find any positive inspiration in my studies until I approached my nineteenth year.

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

It is useless to send armies against ideas.