It is only a man's own fundamental thoughts that have truth and life in them.

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.

It is difficult to find happiness within oneself, but it is impossible to find it anywhere else.

The majority of men... are not capable of thinking, but only of believing, and... are not accessible to reason, but only to authority.

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.

A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.

Man is the only animal who causes pain to others with no other object than wanting to do so.

Genius and madness have something in common: both live in a world that is different from that which exists for everyone else.

A pessimist is an optimist in full possession of the facts.

Religions are like fireflies. They require darkness in order to shine.

Nature shows that with the growth of intelligence comes increased capacity for pain, and it is only with the highest degree of intelligence that suffering reaches its supreme point.

Phaedra looked across the water and her eyes met Lucian’s. Their needs came second. It came from the privilege of being tr

I think you should ignore Sara Teasdale (she’s a bit of a moper, to be honest.). Take Christina Rossetti’s advice and be fire.

To aim at the best and to remain essentially ourselves is one and the same thing.

I never leaf through a copy of National Geographic without realizing how lucky we are to live in a society where it is traditional to wear clothes.

The Beatles will exist without us.

I believe that voices like Ross Perot, Pat Buchanan, Ralph Nader should be heard. They don't have to be president. Give 'em a chance.

I love you enough for the both of us. And there must be something about me worth loving. If you would just try.

One poem or story doesn't matter one way or the other. It's the process of writing and life that matters.

Will you trust your five senses above the four Gospels?

I know noble accents And lucid, inescapable rhythms; But I know, too, That the blackbird is involved In what I know.