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

If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words.

Legislators and revolutionaries who promise both equality and liberty are visionaries and charlatans.

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.

If you want to reach the infinite, then explore every aspect of the finite.

Because everyone uses language to talk, everyone thinks he can talk about language.

Please send me your last pair of shoes, worn out with dancing as you mentioned in your letter, so that I might have something to press against my heart.