Great genius takes shape by contact with another great genius, but less by assimilation than by friction.

The foolish race of mankind are swarming below in the night; they shriek and rage and quarrel - and all of them are right.

On the waves of the brook she dances by, The light, the lovely dragon-fly; She dances here, she dances there, The shimmering, glimmering flutterer fair. And many a foolish young beetle's impressed By the blue gauze gown in which she is dressed; They admire the enamel that decks her bright, And her elegant waist so slim and slight.

The beauteous eyes of the spring's fair night With comfort are downward gazing.

There, where one burns books... one, in the end, burns men.

Mine is a most peaceable disposition. My wishes are: a humble cottage with a thatched roof, but a good bed, good food, the freshest milk and butter, flowers before my window, and a few fine trees before my door; and if God wants to make my happiness complete, he will grant me the joy of seeing some six or seven of my enemies hanging from those trees. Before death I shall, moved in my heart, forgive them all the wrong they did me in their lifetime. One must, it is true, forgive one's enemies-- but not before they have been hanged.

Every age has its problem, by solving which humanity is helped forward.