And I have again observed, my dear friend, in this trifling affair, that misunderstandings and neglect occasion more mischief in the world than even malice and wickedness. At all events, the two latter are of less frequent occurrence.

It is a misfortune to pass at once from observation to conclusion, and to regard both as of equal value; but it befalls many a student.

Patriotism corrupts history.

Light has called forth one organ to become its like, and thus the eye is formed by the light and for the light so that the inner light may emerge to meet the outer light.

There is nothing outside of us that is not at the same time in us, and as the external world has its colors the eye, too, has colors.

The deepest, the only theme of human history, compared to which all others are of subordinate importance, is the conflict of skepticism with faith.

Certain flaws are necessary for the whole. It would seem strange if old friends lacked certain quirks.