People are always talking about originality; but what do they mean? As soon as we are born, the world begins to work upon us; and this goes on to the end. And after all, what can we call our own, except energy, strength, and will? If I could give an account of all that I owe to great predecessors and contemporaries, there would be but a small balance in my favor.

Be above it! Make the world serve your purpose, but do not serve it.

Analysis and synthesis are both as necessary to the thinking spirit as inspiration and expiration to the organism.

It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter lies in the depth, where few are willing to search for it.

A man's manners are a mirror in which he shows his portrait.

One must not criticize that which is common since it remains always the same.

There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another and lose themselves in dull indifference.