The greater part of human misery is caused by indolence.

Man can acquire accomplishments or he can become an animal, whichever he wants. God makes the animals, man makes himself.

People often become scholars for the same reason they become soldiers: simply because they are unfit for any other station. Their right hand has to earn them a livelihood; one might say they lie down like bears in winter and seek sustenance from their paws.

There is something in our minds like sunshine and the weather, which is not under our control. When I write, the best things come to me from I know not where.

We have to believe that everything has a cause, as the spider spins its web in order to catch flies. But it does this before it knows there are such things as flies.

If it were true what in the end would be gained? Nothing but another truth. Is this such a mighty advantage? We have enough old truths still to digest, and even these we would be quite unable to endure if we did not sometimes flavor them with lies.

Some people read only because they are too lazy to think.