If we could have a little patience, we should escape much mortification; time takes away as much as it gives.

Not to find pleasure in serious reading gives a pastel coloring to the mind.

There is no real evil in life, except great pain; all the rest is imaginary, and depends on the light in which we view things

The heart has no wrinkles.

We are never satisfied with having done well; and in endeavoring to do better, we do much worse.

When I step into this library, I cannot understand why I ever step out of it.

There are twelve hours in the day, and above fifty in the night.

I dislike clocks with second-hands; they cut up life into too small pieces.

I know of no sorrow greater than that occasioned by a delay of the post.

... we ought to be astonished at nothing; for what do we not meet with in our journey through life?

I love you so passionately, that I hide a great part of my love, so as not to oppress you with it.

Words will build no walls.

There are three things we cry for in life: things that are lost, things that are found, and things that are magnificent.

There’s beauty all around our paths, If but our watchful eyes Can trace it ’midst familiar things, And through their lowly guise.

Refrain from drink which is the source of all evil-and the ruin of half the workmen in this Country.

Not a hundredth part of the thoughts in my head have ever been or ever will be spoken or written — as long as I keep my senses, at least.

What good is sitting all alone in your room?

Stairs elevate you; ethics elevates you; goodness elevates you; awareness elevates you; wisdom elevates you.

I reiterate that the rigor and credibility brought to the world by Monti's government are for us a point of no return.

He is the richest who is content with the least.

I'm uncomfortable with the focus on the poet and not on the poem.