Man's highest merit always is, as much as possible, to rule external circumstances and as little as possible to let himself be ruled by them.

In all things, to serve from the lowest station upwards is necessary. To restrict yourself to a trade is best. For the narrow mind, whatever he attempts is still a trade; for the higher, an art; and the highest in doing one thing does all, or, to speak less paradoxically, in the one thing which he does rightly he sees the likeness of all that is done rightly.

None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.

Love has the tendency of pressing together all the lights - all the rays emitted from the beloved object by the burning-glass of fantasy, - into one focus, and making of them one radiant sun without any spots.

If you modestly enjoy your fame you are not unworthy to rank with the holy.

A man doesn't learn to understand anything unless he loves it.

I have always paid attention to the merits of my enemies, and found it an advantage.