It is better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a pig satisfied.

Experience has taught me that those who give their time to the absorbing claims of what is called society, not having leisure to keep up a large acquaintance with the organs of opinion, remain much more ignorant of the general state either of the public mind, or of the active and instructed part of it, than a recluse who reads the newspapers need be.

What distinguishes the majority of men from the few is their inability to act according to their beliefs.

Hardly any original thoughts on mental or social subjects ever make their way among mankind or assume their proper importance in the minds even of their inventors, until aptly selected words or phrases have as it were nailed them down and held them fast.

It is only in the backward countries of the world that increased production is still an important object.

In proportion to the development of his individuality, each person becomes more valuable to himself, and is therefore capable of being more valuable to others. . . .

The individual is not accountable to society for his actions in so far as these concern the interests of no person but himself.