A few great minds are enough to endow humanity with monstrous power, but a few great hearts are not enough to make us worthy of using it.

Falsity cannot keep an idea from being beautiful; there are certain errors of such ingenuity that one could regret their not ranking among the achievements of the human mind.

There are certain moments when we might wish the future were built by men of the past.

It may offend us to hear our own thoughts expressed by others: we are not sure enough of their souls.

What scientist would not long to go on living, if only to see how the little truths he has brought to light will grow up?

When I was young I pitied the old. Now old, it is the young I pity.

In our ideals we unwittingly reveal our vices.