The world needs saints who have genius, just as a plague-stricken town needs doctors.

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

Whatever debases the intelligence degrades the entire human being.

Most works of art, like most wines, ought to be consumed in the district of their fabrication.

In solitude we are in the presence of mere matter (even the sky, the stars, the moon, trees in blossom), things of less value (perhaps) than a human spirit. Its value lies in the greater possibility of attention.

All those who possess in its pure state the love of their neighbour and the acceptance of the order of the world, inclucing affliction-all those, even should they live and die to all appearances atheists, are surely saved.

The proper method of philosophy consists in clearly conceiving the insoluble problems in all their insolubility and then in simply contemplating them, fixedly and tirelessly, year after year, without any hope, patiently waiting.