Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.

Desire is the presentiment of our inner abilities, and the forerunner of our ultimate accomplishments.

In art it's not the thinking that does the job, but making.

All ages have said and repeated that one should strive to know one's self. This is a strange demand which no one up to now has measured up to and, strictly considered, no one should. With all their study and effort, people are directed to what is outside, to the world about them, and they are kept busy coming to know this and to master it to the extent that their purposes require. . . . How can you come to know yourself? Never by thinking, always by doing. Try to do your duty, and you'll know right away what you amount to. And what is your duty? Whatever the day calls for.

Woman is mistress of the art of completely imbittering the life of the person on whom she depends.

Win for yourself that which your fathers have won.

My counsel is, to force nothing, and rather to trifle and sleep away all unproductive days and hours, than on such days to compose something that will afterwards give no pleasure.