I set forth notions that are human and my own, simply as human notions considered in themselves, not as determined and decreed by heavenly ordinance.

Nothing else but an insatiate thirst of enjoying a greedily desired object.

I will follow the right side even to the fire, but excluding the fire if I can.

The thing I fear most is fear.

There is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody agrees.

Let us not be ashamed to speak what we shame not to think.

Whatever I may be, I want to be elsewhere than on paper. My art and my industry have been employed in making myself good for something; my studies, in teaching me to do, not to write. I have put all my efforts into forming my life. That is my trade and my work.