Faust: Who holds the devil, let him hold him well, He hardly will be caught a second time.

It is only necessary to grow old to become more charitable and even indulgent. I see no fault committed by others that I have not committed myself.

The style of writing required in the great world is distinguished by a free and daring grace, a careless security, a fine and sharp polish, a delicate and perfect taste; while that fitted for the people is characterized by a vigorous natural fulness, a profound depth of feeling, and an engaging naivete.

In nature we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else which is before it, beside it, under it and over it.

One is never satisfied with the portrait of a person that one knows.

I have never looked at foreign countries or gone there but with the purpose of getting to know the general human qualities that are spread all over the earth in very different forms, and then to find these qualities again in my own country and to recognize and to further them.

Misunderstandings and neglect occasion more mischief in the world than malice and wickedness.