The art of governing is a great metier, requiring the whole man, and it is therefore not well for a ruler to have too strong tendencies for other affairs.

Patriotism corrupts history.

If society gives up the right to impose the death penalty, then self-help will appear again and personal vendettas will be around the corner.

How many years must a man do nothing, before he can at all know what is to be done and how to do it!

As man is, so is his God. And thus is God oft strangely odd.

To live within limits. To want one thing. Or a few things very much and love them dearly. Cling to them, survey them from every angle. Become one with them - that is what makes the poet, the artist, the human being.

It is bad governments, not bad people, who cause revolutions.