One cannot always be a hero, but one can always be a man.

Words are mere sound and smoke, dimming the heavenly light.

Sceptics are yet the most credulous.

The greatest piece of folly is that every man thinks himself compelled to hand down what people think they have known.

Our destiny often looks like a fruit-tree in winter. Who would think from its pitiable aspect that those rigid boughs, those rough twigs could next spring again be green, bloom, and even bear fruit? Yet we hope it, we know it.

They teach in academies far too many things, and far too much that is useless.

However often we turn to it [the Koran] at first disgusting us each time afresh, it soon attracts, astounds, and in the end enforces our reverence. . . . Its style, in accordance with its contents and aim is stern, grand, terrible - ever and anon truly sublime - Thus this book will go on exercising through all ages a most potent influence.