It is not enough to have knowledge; one must apply it. It is not enough to have wishes; one must also accomplish it.

Who strives always to the utmost, him can we save.

Oh how sweet it is to hear one's own convictions from another's lips.

Let us not dream that reason can ever be popular. Passions, emotions, may be made popular; but reason remains ever the property of an elect few.

As for what I have done as a poet, I take no pride in whatever. Excellent poets have lived at the same time with me, poets more excellent lived before me, and others will come after me. But that in my country I am the only person who knows the truth in the difficult science of colors-of that, I say, I am not a little proud, and here have a consciousness of superiority to many.

Animals, we have been told, are taught by their organs. Yes, I would add, and so are men, but men have this further advantage that they can also teach their organs in return.

Nothing is more dangerous than solitude.