Mastery passes often for egotism.

No wise combatant underestimates their antagonist.

I make presents to the mother but think of the daughter.

The brilliant passes, like the dew at morn; The true endures, for ages yet unborn.

I hate every violent overthrow, because as much is destroyed as is gained by it.

Mankind? That is an abstraction. There have always been and always will be only individuals.

Translators can be considered as busy matchmakers who praise as extremely desirable a half-veiled beauty. They arouse an irresistible yearning for the original.