It is only necessary to grow old to become more charitable and even indulgent. I see no fault committed by others that I have not committed myself.

Create, artist, do not talk.

[W]hat counts is that one perceives excellence and dares to give it expression, which sounds little but is in fact a great deal.

Who longs in solitude to live, Ah! soon his wish will gain: Men hope and love, men get and give, and leave him to his pain.

Superstition is rooted in a much deeper and more sensitive layer of the psyche than skepticism.

No prudent antagonist thinks light of his adversaries.

Alas, I have studied philosophy, the law as well as medicine, and to my sorrow, theology; studied them well with ardent zeal, yet here I am, a wretched fool, no wiser than I was before.