A good aphorism is too hard for the tooth of time, and is not worn away by all the centuries, although it serves as food for every epoch. |
A good author possesses not only his own intellect, but also that of his friends. |
A great value of antiquity lies in the fact that its writings are the only ones that modern men still read with exactness. |
A high civilization is a pyramid: it can stand only on a broad base; its primary prerequisite is a strong and soundly consolidated mediocrity. |
A letter is an unannounced visit, the postman the agent of rude surprises. One ought to reserve an hour a week for receiving letters and afterwards take a bath. |
A man has no ears for that to which experience has given him no access |
A man who has depths in his shame meets his destiny and his delicate decisions upon paths which few ever reach . . . . |
A man who is very busy seldom changes his opinions. |
A married philosopher belongs to comedy. |
A matter that becomes clear ceases to concern us |
A pair of powerful spectacles has sometimes sufficed to cure a person in love. |
A person's maturity consists in having found again the seriousness one had as a child, at play |
A refined nature is vexed by knowing that some one owes it thanks, a coarse nature by knowing that it owes thanks to some one |
A sedentary life is the real sin against the Holy Spirit. Only those thoughts that come by walking have any value. |
A strong and secure man digests his experiences (deeds and misdeeds alike) just as he digests his meat, even when he has some bits to swallow. |