The facts of religion were convincing only to those who were already convinced.

I was too much of an extremist to be able to live under the eye of God and at the same time say both yes and no to life

It was easier for me to think of a world without a creator than of a creator burdened with all the contradictions in the world.

If I were to share Jaques' existence I would find it hard to hold my own against him, for already I found his nihilism contagious.

All those minds that are interested in finding out the truth communicate with each other across the distances of space and time. I, too, was taking part in the effort which humanity makes to know.

I was convinced that I would be, that I was already, one in a million.

I had to call the past to life, and illuminate every corner of the five continents, descend to the centre of the earth and make the circuit of the moon and stars

Why shouldn't a mystical theology be possible? 'I want to touch God or become God, ' I declared in my journal. All through that year I abandoned myself intermittently to these deliriums.

Don't mind Russ, " he says. "He's a good kid underneath all those holes, although it's a wonder he doesn't spring a leak when he drinks

Women, as some witty Frenchman once put it, inspire us with the desire to do masterpieces and always prevent us from carrying them out.

Try to be like someone and you'll lose the beauty of being you

Through the use of books I had the whole world at my feet: could travel anywhere, meet anyone, and do anything.

A calm mind is good for our physical health, but it also enables us to see things more realistically.

Humanity happy, I get benefit. Humanity in state of trouble, or violence, I cannot escape from that.

A prerequisite to empathy is simply paying attention to the person in pain.

A very prosperous people, flushed with great victories and successes, are seldom so pious, so humble, so just, or so provident as to perpetuate their happiness.

It is not the least of a martyr's scourges to be canonized by the persons who burned him.

'Thou shalt not' might reach the head, but it takes 'Once upon a time' to reach the heart.