There is no such thing as a little country. The greatness of a people is no more determined by their numbers than the greatness of a man is by his height.

Astronomy, that micography of heaven, is the most magnificent of the sciences. ... Astronomy has its clear side and its luminous side; on its clear side it is tinctured with algebra, on its luminous side with poetry.

The animal is ignorant of the fact that he knows. The man is aware of the fact that he is ignorant.

Man does not understand nor accept immortality except on condition of self-remembrance.

His whole life was now summed up in two words: absolute uncertainty within an impenetrable fog.

And if it happened to be a Christmas-night when the great bell seemed to rattle in its throat as it called the faithful to the midnight mass, there was such an indescribable air of life spread over the sombre facade that the great door-way looked as if it were swallowing the entire crowd, and the rose-window staring at them.

The paradise of the rich is made out of the hell of the poor.