People who never have any time on their hands are those who do the least.

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.

Soldiers train for war, but pray for peace

Boredom is the conviction that you can't change ... the shriek of unused capacities.

One thing to remember on the Eiger, never look up, or you may need a plastic surgeon.

Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.

The State is the altar of political freedom and, like the religious altar, it is maintained for the purpose of human sacrifice.

I was performing skin grafts and became interested in why skin wouldn't graft permanently.

Any given thing on the face of the earth could reveal the history of all things

Any conversation I have about innovation starts with the ultimate goal.

To larger sight, the rim of shadow is the line of light.

I cannot always control what goes on outside. But I can always control what goes on inside.