The world acquires value only through its extremes and endures only through moderation; extremists make the world great, the moderates give it stability.

If what has happened in the one person were communicated directly to the other, all art would collapse, all the effects of art would disappear.

We are wont to condemn self-love; but what we really mean to condemn is contrary to self-love. It is that mixture of selfishness and self-hate that permanently pursues us, that prevents us from loving others, and that prohibits us from losing ourselves.

The world acquires value only through its extremes and endures only through moderation; extremists make the world great, the moderates give it stability.

The power of verse stems from an indefinable harmony between when it says and what it is.

In most cases, when the lion, weary of obeying its master, has torn and devoured him, its nerves are pacified and it looks round for another master before whom to grovel.

Great things are accomplished by those who do not feel the impotence of man. This is a precious gift.