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.

There are people who think that everything one does with a serious face is sensible.

Barbaric accuracy - whimpering humility.

There is no more important rule of conduct in the world than this: attach yourself as much as you can to people who are abler than you and yet not so very different that you cannot understand them.

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.

It often takes more courage to change one's opinion than to stick to it.

The noble simplicity in the works of nature only too often originates in the noble shortsightedness of him who observes it.