The vanity of others runs counter to our taste only when it runs counter to our vanity.

I obviously do everything to be "hard to understand" myself

The consequences of our actions take hold of us, quite indifferent to our claim that meanwhile we have 'improved.

In music the passions enjoy themselves.

One loves ultimately one's desires, not the thing desired.

A man who wills commands something within himself that renders obedience, or that he believes renders obedience.

Madness is something rare in individuals — but in groups, parties, peoples, and ages, it is the rule.

The maturity of man—that means, to have reacquired the seriousness that one had as a child at play

A soul that knows it is loved but does not itself love betrays its sediment: what is at bottom comes up."―Epigrams and Interludes, Section 79

When we have to change an opinion about any one, we charge heavily to his account the inconvenience he thereby causes us.

Whatever is done for love always occurs beyond good and evil.

May the Lord ignite the flame of light in your soul.

The law doesn't require truth, only the appearance of it. Most cases simply rest on a version of it that's acceptable to both sides. You want to know the only truth is? Everybody lies.--Elwin Stark

Feelings of regret represent our aversion to reality.

In the second century of the Christian era, the empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized portion of mankind.

It's very difficult to be continuously charitable in a capitalistic society. You've also got to make sure that you can pay everyone who works for you.

Happiness is not found in things you possess, but in what you have the courage to release.

I have read all that has been written by the gravest authorities on political economy on the subject of rent, wages, taxes, tithes.

Sometimes, I feel the reason I have become a star beyond my films is that I am politically incorrect.

The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness.