Wit is an explosion of the compound spirit.

Genius is, to be sure, not a matter of arbitrariness, but rather of freedom, just as wit, love, and faith, which once shall become arts and disciplines. We should demand genius from everybody, without, however, expecting it.

One should have wit, but not wish to have it; otherwise there will be witticism, the Alexandrian style of wit.

It is as deadly for a mind to have a system as to have none. Therefore it will have to decide to combine both.

How many authors are there among writers? Author means originator.

Form your life humanly, and you have done enough: but you will never reach the height of art and the depth of science without something divine.

The historian is a prophet looking backward.