Who were my mentors in poetry and literature? This is a matter of opinion. Some see in my books the influences of authors whose names, in my ignorance, I have not even heard, while others see the influences of poets whose names I have heard but whose writings I have not read. And what is my opinion? From whom did I receive nurture? Not every man remembers the name of the cow which supplied him with each drop of milk he has drunk.

For myself, I am very small indeed in my own eyes.

Our sages of blessed memory have said that we must not enjoy any pleasure in this world without reciting a blessing.

It is not enough for a man to dwell in the Land of Israel, he must also pray to be free.

Our days on earth are like a shadow, and the time of our affliction is the length of our days.

I am generally ashamed to walk out in new clothes. And why am I ashamed? Is it because I don't want to embarrass the others who don't have new things? Or perhaps because a new coat makes you stand out, and you seem to be clothes and nothing else.

When I first began to combine letters other than Hebrew, I read every book in German that came my way, and from these I certainly received according to the nature of my soul.