193 quotes
Thought from which no emotion springs is sterile. The knowledge that has no bearing on the conduct of life is vain.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
No occupation is more tiresome or depressing than that of killing time. It is the cause of lifeweariness, the punishment the soul inflicts upon itself when reduced to passiveness and servitude.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
States of soul rightly expressed, as the poet expresses them in moments of pure inspiration, retain forever the power of creating like states. It is this that makes genuine literature a vital force.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
If we are disappointed that men give little heed to what we utter is it for their sake or our own?
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
If thou hast sought happiness and missed it, but hast found wisdom instead, thou art fortunate.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
Love finds us young and keeps us so: immortal himself, he permits not age to enter the hearts where he reigns.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
As our power over others increases, we become less free; for to retain it, we must make ourselves its servants.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
The more we live with what we imagine others think of us, the less we live with truth.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
In giving us dominion over the animal kingdom God has signified His will that we subdue the beast within ourselves.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
When we have not the strength or the courage to grasp a new truth, we persuade ourselves that it is not a truth at all.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
When we know and love the best we are content to lack the approval of the many.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
We are not masters of the truth which is borne in upon us: it overpowers us.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
As we can not love what is hateful, let us accustom ourselves neither to think nor to speak of disagreeable things and persons.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
Culture makes the whole world our dwelling place; our palace in which we take our ease and find ourselves at one with all things.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
The world is a mirror into which we look, and see our own image.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
If truth make us not truthful, what service can it render us?
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
Obedience is not servility. On the contrary the servile are never rightly obedient.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
Nothing requires so little mental effort as to narrate or follow a story. Hence everybody tells stories and the readers of stories outnumber all others.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
To ask them to read books whose life-breath is pure thought and beauty is as though one asked them to read things written in a language they do not understand and have no desire to learn.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)
If a state should pass laws forbidding its citizens to become wise and holy, it would be made a byword for all time. But this, in effect, is what our commercial, social, and political systems do. They compel the sacrifice of mental and moral power to money and dissipation.
Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)