The suffering may be moral or physical; and in my opinion it is just as absurd to call a man a coward who destroys himself, as to call a man a coward who dies of a malignant fever.

The person who in shaky times also wavers only increases the evil, but the person of firm decision fashions the universe.

Nothing is more consonant with Nature than that she puts into operation in the smallest detail that which she intends as a whole.

Without my attempts in natural science, I should never have learned to know mankind such as it is. In nothing else can we so closely approach pure contemplation and thought, so closely observe the errors of the senses and of the understanding, the weak and strong points of character.

Who is the happiest man? He who is alive to the merit of others, and can rejoice in their enjoyment as if it were his own.

To witness two lovers is a spectacle for the gods.

What a torment it is to see so much loveliness passing and repassing before us, and yet not dare to lay hold of it!