All real democracy is an attempt like that of a jolly hostess to bring the shy people out.

Leaving the complications of the human breakfast-table out of account, in an elemental sense, the egg only exists to produce the chicken. But the chicken does not exist only in order to produce another egg. He may also exist to amuse himself, to praise God, and even to suggest ideas to a French dramatist. Being a conscious life, he is, or may be, valuable in himself.

Life exists for the love of music or beautiful things.

Where does a wise man kick a pebble? On the beach. Where does a wise man hide a leaf? In the forest.

Do not free a camel of the burden of his hump; you may be freeing him from being a camel.

Among the rich you will never find a really generous man even by accident. They may give their money away, but they will never give themselves away; they are egotistic, secretive, dry as old bones. To be smart enough to get all that money you must be dull enough to want it.

Progress should mean that we are always changing the world to fit the vision, instead we are always changing the vision.