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

The war imbued my tin soldiers with quite a new interest. It was impossible to have boxes enough of them.

I admired in others the strength that I lacked myself.

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

Being gifted needs courage.

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

My first experiences of academic friendship made me smile in after years when I looked back on them. But my circle of acquaintances had gradually grown so large that it was only natural new friendships should grow out of it.