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

Sweet moonlight, shining full and clear, Why do you light my torture here? How often have you seen me toil, Burning last drops of midnight oil. On books and papers as I read, My friend, your mournful light you shed. If only I could flee this den And walk the mountain-tops again, Through moonlit meadows make my way, In mountain caves with spirits play - Released from learning's musty cell, Your healing dew would make me well!

Flowers are the beautiful hieroglyphics of nature with which she indicates how much she loves us.

People are so constituted that everybody would rather undertake what they see others do, whether they have an aptitude for it or not.

If a man writes a book, let him set down only what he knows. I have guesses enough of my own.

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

Science has been seriously retarded by the study of what is not worth knowing and of what is not knowable.