If all art aspires to the condition of music, all the sciences aspire to the condition of mathematics.

In this world we must either institute conventional forms of expression or else pretend that we have nothing to express; the choice lies between a mask and a figleaf.

In Greece wise men speak and fools decide.

In each person I catch the fleeting suggestion of something beautiful and swear eternal friendship with that.

To keep beauty in its place is to make all things beautiful.

The highest form of vanity is love of fame.

Every real object must cease to be what it seemed, and none could ever be what the whole soul desired.