Nobody, they say, is a hero to his valet. Of course; for a man must be a hero to understand a hero. The valet, I dare say, has great respect for some person of his own stamp.

What have the Germans gained by their boasted freedom of the press, except the liberty of abusing each other as they like?

It is not given to us to grasp the truth, which is identical with the divine, directly. We perceive it only in reflection, in example and symbol, in singular and related appearances. It meets us as a kind of life which is incomprehensible to us, and yet we cannot free ourselves from the desire to comprehend it.

I consider him of no account who esteems himself just as the popular breath may chance to raise him.

One does not get to know that one exists until one rediscovers oneself in others.

My poor head is in such a whirl, my mind is all in bits.

Plunge boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will, it is always interesting.