One cannot develop taste from what is of average quality but only from the very best.

He alone deserves liberty and life who daily must win them anew.

Error is acceptable as long as we are young; but one must not drag it along into old age.

At the moment of commitment the entire universe conspires to assist you.

It is commonly the personal character of a writer which gives him his public significance. It is not imparted by his genius. Napoleon said of Corneille, "Were he living I would make him a king;" but he did not read him. He read Racine, yet he said nothing of the kind of Racine.

The senses do not deceive us, but the judgment does.

People are always talking about originality; but what do they mean? As soon as we are born, the world begins to work upon us; and this goes on to the end. And after all, what can we call our own, except energy, strength, and will? If I could give an account of all that I owe to great predecessors and contemporaries, there would be but a small balance in my favor.