A man's shortcomings are taken from his epoch; his virtues and greatness belong to himself.

Without my attempts in natural science, I should never have learned to know mankind such as it is. In nothing else can we so closely approach pure contemplation and thought, so closely observe the errors of the senses and of the understanding, the weak and strong points of character.

The world is for thousands a freak show; the images flicker past and vanish; the impressions remain flat and unconnected in the soul. Thus they are easily led by the opinions of others, are content to let their impressions be shuffled and rearranged and evaluated differently.

I am what I am, so take me as I am!.

I respect the man who knows distinctly what he wants.

Man believes himself always greater than he is, and is esteemed less than he is worth.

Impotent hatred is the most horrible of all emotions; one should hate nobody whom one cannot destroy.