'Character," says Novalis, in one of his questionable aphorisms - character is destiny'.

Men can do nothing without the make-believe of a beginning.

Those old stories of visions and dreams guiding men have their truth; we are saved by making the future present to ourselves.

He was of an impressible nature, and lived a great deal in other people's opinions and feelings concerning himself.

That's what a man wants in a wife, mostly; he wants to make sure one fool tells him he's wise.

One's self-satisfaction is an untaxed kind of property which it is very unpleasant to find deprecated.

Family likeness has often a deep sadness in it.