We amuse ourselves painting our prison-walls with bright figures and brilliant landscapes.

Music is either sacred or secular. The sacred agrees with its dignity, and here has its greatest effect on life, an effect that remains the same through all ages and epochs. Secular music should be cheerful throughout.

What men usually say of misfortunes, that they never come alone, may with equal truth be said of good fortune; nay, of other circumstances which gather round us in a harmonious way, whether it arise from a kind of fatality, or that man has the power of attracting to himself things that are mutually related.

He who wishes to exert a useful influence must be careful to insult nothing. Let him not be troubled by what seems absurd, but concentrate his energies to the creation of what is good. He must not demolish, but build. He must raise temples where mankind may come and partake of the purest pleasure.

Beware of dissipating your powers; strive constantly to concentrate them.

To make an epoch in the world, two conditions are manifestly essential-a good head and a great inheritance.

Every man bears something within him that, if it were publicly announced, would excite feelings of aversion.