All men seek esteem; the best by lifting themselves, which is hard to do, the rest by shoving others down, which is much easier.

What keeps the democracy alive at all but the hatred of excellence; the desire of the base to see no head higher than their own?

In all men is evil sleeping; the good man is he who will not awaken it, in himself or in other men.

The perpetual stream of human nature is formed into ever-changing shallows, eddies, falls and pools by the land over which it passes. Perhaps the only real value of history lies in considering this endlessly varied play between the essence and the accidents.

I thought, There goes my lord, whom I was born to follow. I have found a King. And, I said to myself, looking after him as he walked away, I will have him, if I die for it.

By her shining and her power he knew her.

Clouds of black birds rose up wailing and screaming, like the thoughts of my heart.