God ordains that beggars should beg for greatness, as for all else, when greatness shines out of them, and they don't know it.

When writing of oneself one should show no mercy. Yet why at the first attempt to discover one's own truth does all inner strength seem to melt away in floods of self-pity and tenderness and rising tears?

But I shall give less thought to the future, I shall work in the present. I feel such work is within my power. For I only succeed in small things, and when I am tried by anxiety, I am bound to say it is the small joys that release me.

A thought which does not result in an action is nothing much, and an action which does not proceed from a thought is nothing at all.

...the most dangerous shortsightedness consists in underestimating the mediocre.

The world is eaten up by boredom. You can't see it all at once. It is like dust. You go about and never notice, you breathe it in, you eat and drink it. It is sifted so fine, it doesn't even grit on your teeth. But stand still for an instant and there it is, coating your face and hands.

Who are you to condemn another's sin? He who condemns sin becomes part of it, espouses it.