Man’s highest merit always is, as much as possible, to rule external circumstances and as little as possible to let himself be ruled by them.
I respect the man who knows distinctly what he wants.
Everything we do has a result. But that which is right and prudent does not always lead to good, nor the contrary to what is bad.
Science has been seriously retarded by the study of what is not worth knowing and of what is not knowable.
There is no permanence in doubt; it incites the mind to closer inquiry and experiment, from which, if rightly managed, certainty proceeds, and in this alone can man find thorough satisfaction.
Whether one show one’s self a man of genius in science or compose a song, the only point is, whether the thought, the discovery, the deed, is living and can live on.
Nature does not suffer her veil to be taken from her, and what she does not choose to reveal to the spirit, thou wilt not wrest from her by levers and screws.
Mathematics can remove no prejudices and soften no obduracy. It has no influence in sweetening the bitter strife of parties, and in the moral world generally its action is perfectly null.
The history of mankind is his character.
The philosophers must station themselves in the middle.
The field of experience is the whole universe in all directions. Theory remains shut up within the limits of human faculties.
Generosity wins favour for everyone, especially when it is accompanied by modesty.
The greatest act of faith takes place when a man finally decides that he is not God.
Beauty is a primeval phenomenon, which itself never makes its appearance, but the reflection of which is visible in a thousand different utterances of the creative mind, and is as various as nature herself.
Over all the mountain tops is peace. In all treetops you perceive scarcely a breath. The little birds in the forest are silent. Wait then; soon, you too, will have peace.
Not art and science only, but patience will be required for the work.
There is no patriotic art and no patriotic science.
Doing, but is sure to repent of every ill-judged outlay...
With knowledge grows doubt.
So, lively brisk old fellow, don’t let age get you down. White hairs or not, you can still be a lover.