Travel is a caprice in childhood, a passion in youth, a necessity in manhood, and an elegy in old age.

I can concede that the government has no knowledge of the people, but I believe the people know less of the government. There are useless officials, evil, if you like, but there are also good ones, and these are not able to accomplish anything because they encounter an inert mass, the population that takes little part in matters that concern them.

To the questioning glance of love, as it flashes out and then conceals itself, speech has no reply; the smile, the kiss, the sigh answer.

What is death to me? I have sown the seeds others will reap.

How long have you been away from the country?" Laruja asked Ibarra. "Almost seven years." "Then you have probably forgotten all about it." "Quite the contrary. Even if my country does seem to have forgotten me, I have always thought about it.

Who does not love his own tongue is far worse than a brute or stinking fish.

When there is in nature no fixed condition, how much less must there be in the life of a people, beings endowed with mobility and movement!