The man who occupies the first place seldom plays the principal part.

When young, one is confident to be able to build palaces for mankind, but when the time comes one has one's hands full just to be able to remove their trash.

There are men who never err, because they never propose anything rational.

Mannerism is always longing to have done, and has no true enjoyment in work. A genuine, really great talent, on the other hand, has its greatest happiness in execution.

Master and Doctor are my titles; for ten years now, without repose, I held my erudite recitals and led my pupils by the nose.

It is opposition that makes us productive.

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