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

Have you ever observed that we pay much more attention to a wise passage when it is quoted, than when we read it in the original author?

High culture always isolates, always drives men out of their class, and makes it more difficult for them to share naturally and easily the common class-life around them. They seek the few companions who can understand them, and when these are not to be had within a traversable distance, they sit and work alone.

Avowed work, even when uncongenial, is far less trying to patience than feigned pleasure.

Society will be obeyed; if you refuse obedience, you must take the consequences. Society has only one law, and that is custom. Even religion itself is socially powerful only just so far as it has custom on its side.

Culture is like wealth; it makes us more ourselves, it enables us to express ourselves

We need society, and we need solitude also, as we need summer and winter, day and night, exercise and rest.