No man knows himself as an original.

The only competition worthy of a wise man is with himself.

Distinction is the consequence, never the object of a great mind.

The greatest of all fools is the proud fool--who is at the mercy of every fool he meets.

Never expect justice from a vain man; if he has the negative magnanimity not to disparage you, it is the most you can expect.

Never judge a work of art by its defects.

Desert being the essential condition of praise, there can be no reality in the one without the other.

Reputation is but a synonym of popularity: dependent on suffrage, to be increased or diminished at the will of the voters.

Selfishness in art, as in other things, is sensibility kept at home.

The most common disguise of Envy is in praise of what is subordinate.

Make no man your idol, for the best man must have faults; and his faults will insensibly become yours, in addition to your own.

Understand that great accomplishments require great effort. If a goal is achieved without effort, it is no accomplishment but a mere happening.

Saying I love you isn't hard, but meaning it is.” he kisses me softly, moaning against my lips. “Loving you is the easiest thing to do on this earth, Trinity Parker.

One thing is certain and the rest is lies The Flower that once has blown for ever dies.

I think I have a right to live my life the way I like.

I dream of a true husband—a good man, not a brute, nor a champion of men on the battlefield; I dream but of a gentle man, one who neither speaks too loud nor ignores evil.

You've decided to love me for eternity, I'm still deciding who I want to be today.

I remember adolescence, the years of having the impulse control of a mousetrap, of being as private as a safe-deposit box.

Faust seems to have exerted a big influence on Star Wars. You know, the "give up your soul for immortality" or something.

With all those prizes the most interesting thing is getting on to the shortlist, because that tells you who people see as your peers.

The Bible is a wonderful source of inspiration for those who don't understand it.