People have prejudices against a nation in which they have no acquaintances.

I wonder how it is that so cheerful-looking a tree as the willow should ever have become associated with ideas of sadness.

A perfect life is like that of a ship of war which has its own place in the fleet and can share in its strength and discipline, but can also go forth alone in the solitude of the infinite sea. We ought to belong to society, to have our place in it, and yet be capable of a complete individual existence outside of it.

The one mistake which is committed habitually by people who have the gift of half-genius, is waiting for inspiration.

Society is, and must be, based upon appearances, and not upon the deepest appearances, and not realities.

People have prejudices against a nation in which they have no acquaintances.

Conversation is interesting in proportion to the originality of the central ideas which serve as pivots and the fitness of the little facts and observations which are contributed by the talkers.