Society is a republic. When an individual endeavors to lift himself above his fellows, he is dragged down by the mass, either by means of ridicule or of calumny. No one shall be more virtuous or more intellectually gifted than others. Whoever, by the irresistable force of genius, rises above the common herd is certain to be ostracized by society, which will pursue him with such merciless derision and detraction that at last he will be compelled to retreat into the solitude of his thoughts.

No compass has ever been invented for the high seas of matrimony.

Wherever they burn books they will also, in the end, burn human beings.

Whether a revolution succeeds or fails people of great hearts will always be sacrificed to it.

Thought is invisible nature.

All special charters of freedom must be abrogated where the universal law of freedom is to flourish.

Music is a strange thing. I would almost say it is a miracle.