One of the most arrogant undertakings, to my mind, is to write the biography of a man which pretends to go beyond external facts and gives the inmost motives. One of the most mendacious is autobiography.

The one sure means of dealing with boredom is to care for someone else, to do something kind and good.

A curse on every wish that blurs the sight, paralyzes the tongue, cramps the hand, and prevents the truth being seen, said, and written.

Joy untouched by thankfulness is always suspect.

When men no longer have the least fear of saying something untrue, they very soon have no fear whatsoever of doing something unjust.

One of the most arrogant undertakings, to my mind, is to write the biography of a man which pretends to go beyond external facts and gives the inmost motives. One of the most mendacious is autobiography.

The essence of modern dictatorship is the combination of one-dimensional, flat thinking with power and terror.