When a woman gets married it is like jumping into a hole in the ice in the middle of winter: you do it once and you remember it the rest of your days.

There is no one on earth more disgusting and repulsive than he who gives alms. Even as there is no one so miserable as he who accepts them.

One word of praise from a woman is dearer to me than a whole ode from a man . .

Keep reading books, but remember that a book’s only a book, and you should learn to think for yourself.

This fear is what is the ruin of us all. And some dominate us; they take advantage of our fear and frighten us still more. Mark this: as long as people are afraid, they will rot like the birches in the marsh. We must grow bold; it is time!

Many contemporary authors drink more than they write.

A good man can be stupid and still be good. But a bad man must have brains.