We don't get to know anything but what we love.

However often we turn to it [the Koran] at first disgusting us each time afresh, it soon attracts, astounds, and in the end enforces our reverence. . . . Its style, in accordance with its contents and aim is stern, grand, terrible - ever and anon truly sublime - Thus this book will go on exercising through all ages a most potent influence.

All things are only transitory.

The greatest piece of folly is that every man thinks himself compelled to hand down what people think they have known.

We gladly put antiquity above our age but not posterity. Only a father doesn't begrudge his son's talent.

But when all is said, the greatest art is to limit and isolate oneself.

The little that is completed, vanishes from the sight of one who looks forward to what is still to do.