When the sun is covered by clouds, objects are less conspicuous, because there is little difference between the light and shade of the trees and the buildings being illuminated by the brightness of the atmosphere which surrounds the objects in such a way that the shadows are few, and these few fade away so that their outline is lost in haze.

When you look at a wall spotted with stains...you may discover a resemblance to various landscapes, beautiful with mountains, rivers, rocks, trees. Or again, you may see battles and figures in action, or strange faces and costumes, and an endless variety of objects which you could reduce to complete and well-drawn figures.

A man of supreme folly: his life flies away while he is merely hoping to enjoy it.

He who truly knows has no occasion to shout.

Putting your hand into a river, you simultaneously touch the last of what is passing and the first of what is coming.

Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in.

The earth is moved from its position by the weight of a tiny bird resting upon it.