One cannot demand of a scholar that he show himself a scholar everywhere in society, but the whole tenor of his behavior must none the less betray the thinker, he must always be instructive, his way of judging a thing must even in the smallest matters be such that people can see what it will amount to when, quietly and self-collected, he puts this power to scholarly use.

There exists a species of transcendental ventriloquism by means of which men can be made to believe that something said on earth comes from Heaven.

Diogenes, filthily attired, paced across the splendid carpets in Plato's dwelling. Thus, said he, do I trample on the pride of Plato. Yes, Plato replied, but only with another kind of pride.

In the world we live in, one fool makes many fools, but one sage only a few sages.

Some people feel with their heads and think with their hearts.

The celebrated painter Gainsborough got as much pleasure from seeing violins as from hearing them.

You believe I run after the strange because I do not know the beautiful; no, it is because you do not know the beautiful that I seek the strange.