Because the world is so full of death and horror, I try again and again to console my heart and pick the flowers that grow in the midst of hell.

Art is the contemplation of the world in a state of grace.

To hold our tongues when everyone is gossiping, to smile without hostility at people and institutions, to compensate for the shortage of love in the world with more love in small, private matters; to be more faithful in our work, to show greater patience, to forgo the cheap revenge obtainable from mockery and criticism: all these are things we can do.

Whoever wants music instead of noise, joy instead of pleasure, soul instead of gold, creative work instead of business, passion instead of foolery, finds no home in this trivial world of ours.

A house without books is a poor house, even if beautiful rugs are covering its floors and precious wallpapers and pictures cover its walls

My real self wanders elsewhere, far away, wanders on and on invisibly and has nothing to do with my life.

Seeking means: to have a goal; but finding means: to be free, to be receptive, to have no goal.