I had rather be Mercury, the smallest among seven [planets], revolving round the sun, than the first among five [moons] revolving round Saturn.

If everyone sweeps before his own front door, then the street is clean.

It is better to be doing the most insignificant thing than to reckon even a half-hour insignificant.

Know thyself? If I knew myself I would run away.

A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.

The day is of infinite length for him who knows how to appreciate and use it.

All lyrical work must, as a whole, be perfectly intelligible, but in some particulars a little unintelligible.