Just as a person who is always asserting that he is too good-natured is the very one from whom to expect, on some occasion, the coldest and most unconcerned cruelty, so when any group sees itself as the bearer of civilization this very belief will betray it into behaving barbarously at the first opportunity.

Beauty captivates the flesh in order to obtain permission to pass right through to the soul. . . . When the feeling for beauty happens to be associated with the sight of some human being, the transference of love is made possible, at any rate in an illusory manner. But it is all the beauty of the world, it is universal beauty, for which we yearn.

Attachment is a manufacturer of illusion and whoever wants reality ought to be detached.

Armies under the control of ... a sovereign State cannot bring freedom to anyone.

Every being cries out in silence to be read differently. Do not be indifferent to these cries.

Every time that I think of the crucifixion of Christ, I commit the sin of envy.

It is human misery and not pleasure which contains the secret of the divine wisdom.