“It is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance.”

We are always slow in admitting any great change of which we do not see the intermediate steps

What wretched doings come from the ardor of fame; the love of truth alone would never make one man attack another bitterly.

The more one thinks, the more one feels the hopeless immensity of man’s ignorance.

Sympathy beyond the confines of man, that is, humanity to the lower animals, seems to be one of the latest moral acquisitions.

Blushing is the most peculiar and most human of all expressions.

Free will is to mind what chance is to matter.

Even when we are quite alone, how often do we think with pleasure or pain of what others think of us – of their imagined approbation or disapprobation.

We behold the face of nature bright with gladness.

He who remains passive when over-whelmed with grief loses his best chance of recovering his elasticity of mind.

An American monkey, after getting drunk on brandy, would never touch it again, and thus is much wiser than most men.

At no time am I a quick thinker or writer: whatever I have done in science has solely been by long pondering, patience and industry.

A language, like a species, when extinct, never – reappears.

Only picture to yourself a nice soft wife on a sofa with good fire, & books & music.

It strikes me that all our knowledge about the structure of our Earth is very much like what an old hen would know of the hundred-acre field in a corner of which she is scratching.

The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.

A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.

When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice.

The West would be well advised to change its approach towards failing states. At present, no major power can find the correct ways and means – and the numbers of failing states are increasing.

Law without penalty is only advise.

They first condemn that first advised the ill.

Never advise anyone to go to war or to get married.

Your career, interests and relationships are important, but they are only important insofar as they lead you toward a deeper understanding of yourself. Otherwise, they are irrelevant.

Anyone who is concerned about his dignity would be well advised to keep away from horses.

Unless you know the individual, it’s very difficult to advise that individual as to what he needs to do.