Several classical sayings that one likes to repeat had quite a different meaning from the ones later times attributed to them.

A mathematician is only perfect insofar as he is a perfect man, sensitive to the beauty of truth.

The whole history of the Christian Church is a mixture of errors and violence.

If you miss the first buttonhole, you will not succeed in buttoning up your coat.

No wonder we are all more or less pleased with mediocrity, since it leaves us at rest, and gives the same comfortable feeling as when one associates with his equals.

There are people who make no mistakes because they never wish to do anything worth doing.

Art will always be art.