[W]hat counts is that one perceives excellence and dares to give it expression, which sounds little but is in fact a great deal.

There are two things parents should give their children roots and wings. Roots to give them bearing and a sense of belonging, but also wings to help free them from constraints and prejudices and give them other ways to travel (or rather, to fly).

With little wit and ease to suit them, They whirl in narrow circling trails, Like kittens playing with their tails.

Our friends show us what we can do; our enemies teach us what we must do.

Whenever I hear people talking about liberal ideas, I am always astounded that men should love to fool themselves with empty sounds. An idea should never be liberal; it must be vigorous, positive, and without loose ends so that it may fulfill its divine mission and be productive.

One of the most striking signs of the decay of art is the intermixing of different genres.

Each one of us must carry within the proof of immortality, it cannot be given from outside of us. To be sure, everything in natureis change but behind the change there is something eternal.