The theater has often been at variance with the pulpit; they ought not to quarrel. How much is it to be wished that in both the celebration of nature and of God were intrusted to none but men of noble minds.

God made man simple, but how he changed and got complicated is hard to say.

Our passions are true phoenixes; as the old burn out the new straight rise up from the ashes.

Beware of wishing for anything in youth, because you will get it in middle age.

If the whole world I once could see On free soil stand, with the people free Then to the moment might I say, Linger awhile. . .so fair thou art.

Whatever is the lot of humankind I want to taste within my deepest self. I want to seize the highest and the lowest, to load its woe and bliss upon my breast, and thus expand my single self titanically and in the end go down with all the rest.

Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking.