It is astonishing how many books I find there is no need for me to read at all.

I [Death] was astonished to see him in Baghdad, for I had an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.

Old age has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth.

The world is hard and cruel. We are here none knows why, and we go none knows whither. We must be very humble. We must see the beauty of quietness. We must go through life so inconspicuously that Fate does not notice us. And let us seek the love of simple, ignorant people. Their ignorance is better than all our knowledge. Let us be silent, content in our little corner, meek and gentle like them. That is the wisdom of life.

You are not angry with people when you laugh at them. Humour teaches tolerance, and the humorist, with a smile and perhaps a sigh, is more likely to shrug his shoulders than to condemn.

Love is what happens to men and women who don't know each other.

The great trues are too important to be new.