As soon as you know a man to be blind, you imagine that you can see it from his back.

A book which, above all others in the world, should be forbidden, is a catalogue of forbidden books.

To do the opposite of something is also a form of imitation, namely an imitation of its opposite.

A vacuum of ideas affects people differently than a vacuum of air, otherwise readers of books would be constantly collapsing.

Even truth needs to be clad in new garments if it is to appeal to a new age.

Many intelligent people, when about to write . . . , force on their minds a certain notion about style, just as they screw up their faces when they sit for their portraits.

Honest unaffected distrust of human abilities under all circumstances is the surest sign of strength of mind.