If we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything is ready, we shall never begin.

So long as one's just dreaming about what to do, one can soar like an eagle and move mountains, it seems, but as soon as one starts doing it one gets worn out and tired.

People without firmness of character love to make up a fate for themselves; that relieves them of the necessity of having their own will and of taking responsibility for themselves.

Only one thing bothered me: at this very moment, as they say, of inexplicable bliss there would be a sinking feeling at the pit of my stomach and my abdomen would be assailed by a melancholy, cold shivering. In the end I couldn't abide such happiness and ran away.

What a magnificent body, how I should like to see it on the dissecting table.

A son is like a lopped off branch. As a falcon he comes when he wills and goes where he lists.

Belonging to oneself--the whole essence of life lies in that.