This is the true joy in life: Being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

Hegel was right when he said that we learn from history that men never learn anything from history.

Those who admire modern civilization usually identify it with the steam engine and the electric telegraph.

We are the masters at the moment, and not only at the moment, but for a very long time to come.

The man who has never made a mistake will never make anything else.

The medical profession (is) a conspiracy to hide its own shortcomings. No doubt the same may be said of all professions. They are all conspiracies against the laity... (U)ntil there is a practicable alternative to blind trust in the doctor, the truth about the doctor is so terrible that we dare not face it.

There is no accomplishment so easy to acquire as politeness and none more profitable.