To attempt the destruction of our passions is the height of folly. What a noble aim is that of the zealot who tortures himself like a madman in order to desire nothing, love nothing, feel nothing, and who, if he succeeded, would end up a complete monster! |
To do his duty somehow, always to speak well of the Prior, and let the world go its own way. |
To prove the Gospels by a miracle is to prove an absurdity by something contrary to nature |
Watch out for the fellow who talks about putting things in order! Putting things in order always means getting other people under your control. |
We are all instruments endowed with feeling and memory. Our senses are so many strings that are struck by surrounding objects and that also frequently strike themselves. |
We are far more liable to catch the vices than the virtues of our associates |
We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter. |
We swallow with one gulp the lie that flatters us, and drink drop by drop the truth which is bitter to us. |
When science, art, literature, and philosophy are simply the manifestation of personality they are on a level where glorious and dazzling achievements are possible, which can make a man's name live for thousands of years. But above this level, far above, |
When superstition is allowed to perform the task of old age in dulling the human temperament, we can say goodbye to all excellence in poetry, in painting, and in music. |
Women swallow at one mouthful the lie that flatters, and drink drop by drop the truth that is bitter |
You have to make it happen. |