Knowledge is the only elegance.

The student is to read history actively and not passively; to esteem his own life the text, and books the commentary. Thus compelled, the muse of history will utter oracles as never to those who do not respect themselves.

Men are not philosophers, but are rather very foolish children, who, by reason of their partiality, see everything in the most absurd manner, and are the victims at all times of the nearest object. There is even no philosopher who is a philosopher at all times. Our experience, our perception is conditioned by the need to acquire in parts and in succession, that is, with every truth a certain falsehood.

Nature magically suits a man to his fortunes, by making them the fruit of his character.

In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine.

It is God in you that responds to God without, or affirms his own words trembling on the lips of another.

Cities give us collision. 'Tis said, London and New York take the nonsense out of a man.