Most men are so thoroughly subjective that nothing really interests them but themselves.
Physics is unable to stand on its own feet, but needs a metaphysics on which to support itself, whatever fine airs it may assume towards the latter.
The faculty for remembering is not diminished in proportion to what one has learnt, just as little as the number of moulds in which you cast sand lessens its capacity for being cast in new moulds.
It’s the niceties that make the difference fate gives us the hand, and we play the cards.
My body and my will are one.
The heavy armor becomes the light dress of childhood; the pain is brief, the joy unending.
Knowledge is to certain extent a second existence.
I know of no more beautiful prayer than that which the Hindus of old used in closing: May all that have life be delivered from suffering.
A pessimist is an optimist in full possession of the facts.
To expect a man to retain everything that he has ever read is like expecting him to carry about in his body everything that he has ever eaten.
Writers may be classified as meteors, planets, and fixed stars.
There is no doubt that life is given us, not to be enjoyed, but to be overcome; to be got over.
The less one, as a result of objective or subjective conditions, has to come into contact with people, the better off one is for it.
Rudeness is better than any argument; it totally eclipses intellect.
True brevity of expression consists in a man only saying what is worth saying, while avoiding all diffuse explanations of things which every one can think out for himself.
The truth can wait, for it lives a long life.
Noise is the most impertinent of all forms of interruption. It is not only an interruption, but also a disruption of thought.
Talent works for money and fame; the motive which moves genius to productivity is, on the other hand, less easy to determine.
Every child is in a way a genius; and every genius is in a way a child.
All religions promise a reward beyond this life in eternity for excellences of the will or heart, but none for excellences of the head, of the understanding.