Never undertake anything for which you wouldn't have the courage to ask the blessings of heaven.

Everyone is perfectly willing to learn from unpleasant experience - if only the damage of the first lesson could be repaired.

He was then in his fifty-fourth year, when even in the case of poets reason and passion begin to discuss a peace treaty and usually conclude it not very long afterwards.

The Greeks possessed a knowledge of human nature we seem hardly able to attain to without passing through the strengthening hibernation of a new barbarism.

To be content with life or to live merrily, rather all that is required is that we bestow on all things only a fleeting, superficial glance; the more thoughtful we become the more earnest we grow.

A man of spirit must not think of the word difficulty as so much as existing. Away with it!

Reason now gazes above the realm of the dark but warm feelings as the Alpine peaks do above the clouds. They behold the sun more clearly and distinctly, but they are cold and unfruitful.