A father can pass on his nose and eyes and even his intelligence to his child, but not his soul. In every human being the soul is new

To study history means submitting to chaos and nevertheless retaining faith in order and meaning.

Love is like death. It is fulfillment and an evening after which nothing more may follow.

Without a mother, one cannot love. Without a mother, one cannot die.

Friendship is identification and difference

Those who cannot think or take responsibility for themselves need, and clamor for, a leader.

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.