The deepest, the only theme of human history, compared to which all others are of subordinate importance, is the conflict of skepticism with faith.

I believe in God and in nature and in the triumph of good over evil.

No one can take from us the joy of the first becoming aware of something, the so-called discovery. But if we also demand the honor, it can be utterly spoiled for us, for we are usually not the first. What does discovery mean, and who can say that he has discovered this or that? After all it's pure idiocy to brag about priority; for it's simply unconscious conceit, not to admit frankly that one is a plagiarist.

When she sees the leaves fall, they raise no other idea in her mind than that winter is approaching.

A life without love, without the presence of the beloved, is nothing but a mere magic-lantern show. We draw out slide after slide, swiftly tiring of each, and pushing it back to make haste for the next.

Our passions are true phoenixes; as the old burn out the new straight rise up from the ashes.

We are never further from what we wish than when we believe that we have what we wished for.