Man can acquire accomplishments or he can become an animal, whichever he wants. God makes the animals, man makes himself.

Before we blame, we should first see if we can’t excuse.

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

To receive applause for works which do not demand all our powers hinders our advance towards a perfecting of our spirit. It usually means that thereafter we stand still.

I am always grieved when a man of real talent dies, for the world needs such men more than heaven does.

There are people who think that everything one does with a serious face is sensible.

A person reveals his character by nothing so clearly as the joke he resents.

He who is in love with himself has at least this advantage he won’t encounter many rivals.

Actual aristocracy cannot be abolished by any law all the law can do is decree how it is to be imparted and who is to acquire it.

Affectation is a very good word when someone does not wish to confess to what he would none the less like to believe of himself.

He was then in his fifty-fourth year, when even in the case of poets reason and passion begin to discuss a peace treaty and usually conclude it not very long afterwards.

It is in the gift for employing all the vicissitudes of life to one’s own advantage and to that of one’s craft that a large part of genius consists.

Nothing is more conducive to peace of mind than not having any opinions at all.

Everyone is a genius at least once a year. The real geniuses simply have their bright ideas closer together.

The sure conviction that we could if we wanted to is the reason so many good minds are idle.