Only the descent into the hell of self-knowledge can pave the way to godliness.

Freedom in the practical sense is the independence of the power of choice from necessitation by impulses of sensibility

I have no knowledge of myself as I am, but merely as I appear to myself.

Even the song of birds, which we can bring under no musical rule, seems to have more freedom, and therefore more for taste, than a song of a human being which is produced in accordance with all the rules of music; for we very much sooner weary of the latter, if it is repeated often and at length. Here, however, we probably confuse our participation in the mirth of a little creature that we love, with the beauty of its song; for if this were exactly imitated by man (as sometimes the notes of the nightingale are) it would seem to our ear quite devoid of taste.

There is something splendid about innocence; but what is bad about it, in turn, is that it cannot protect itself very well and is easily seduced.

But although all our knowledge begins with experience, it does not follow that it arises from experience.

Rules for Happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.