Much can be inferred about a man from his mistress: in her one beholds his weaknesses and his dreams.

The Greeks possessed a knowledge of human nature we seem hardly able to attain to without passing through the strengthening hibernation of a new barbarism.

One might call habit a moral friction: something that prevents the mind from gliding over things but connects it with them and makes it hard for it to free itself from them.

Erudition can produce foliage without bearing fruit.

There exists a species of transcendental ventriloquism by means of which men can be made to believe that something said on earth comes from Heaven.

Just as the performance of the vilest and most wicked deeds requires spirit and talent, so even the greatest demand a certain insensitivity which under other circumstances we would call stupidity.

If there were only turnips and potatoes in the world, someone would complain that plants grow the wrong way.

Many things about our bodies would not seem to us so filthy and obscene if we did not have the idea of nobility in our heads.

To read means to borrow; to create out of one s readings is paying off one's debts.

Once we know our weaknesses they cease to do us any harm.

He who understands the wise is wise already.

If I must fall, may it be from a high place.

I deserve better —such a dangerous, mad thought for a woman to entertain.

Faith in technocrats over politicians is not a trend from which Britain is exempt.

One fails forward toward success.

I'm sorry.' The two most inadequate words in the English language.

What did you learn today? What mistake did you make that taught you something? What did you try hard at today?

To forget a Holocaust is to kill twice

None dare challenge me when i say i am an Afrikan.

by making himself a priest made himself a demon.

Our greatest freedom is the freedom to choose our attitude.