Passions are merely ideas in their initial stage.

We survive on novelty, so much less demanding than commitment.

I was ready to love the whole world, but no one understood me, and I learned to hate.

O vanity! you are the lever by means of which Archimedes wished to lift the earth!

We practically always excuse things when we understand them

Anyone who has chanced like me to roam through desolate mountains and studied at length their fantastic shapes and drunk the invigorating air of their valleys can understand why I wish to describe and depict these magic scenes for others.

I was modest--they accused me of being crafty: I became secretive. I felt deeply good and evil--nobody caressed me, everybody offended me: I became rancorous. I was gloomy--other children were merry and talkative. I felt myself superior to them--but was considered inferior: I became envious. I was ready to love the whole world--none understood me: and I learned to hate.