“Nothing, it is true, is more common than for both Science and Art to pay homage to the spirit of the age, and for creative taste to accept the law of critical taste.”

A noble heart will always capitulate to reason.

As soon as I have begun to fear I have ceased to fear.

Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing.

If you wish to know yourself observe how others act. If you wish to understand others look into your own heart.

Why should I deem myself to be a chisel, when I could be the artist?

I feel that I am a man of destiny.

There are evil spirits who suddenly fix their abode in man’s unguarded breast, causing us to commit devilish deeds, and then, hurrying back to their native hell, leave behind the stings of remorse in the poisoned bosom.

Pain is short, and joy is eternal.

Art is the right hand of Nature. The latter has only given us being, the former has made us men.

What is life without the radiance of love?

Satisfy a few to please many is bad.

The voice of the majority is no proof of justice.

Accursed be he who plays with the devil.

I follow my heart, for I can trust it.

I know that we often tremble at an empty terror; yet the false fancy brings a real misery.

Great souls endure in silence.

I began to travel by myself, in Europe, when I was eight years old. At that age I was already on the move between India and Swizerland, Switzerland and France, France and England. Administering my own finances like an adult.

The period of a [Persian] boy’s education is between the ages of five and twenty, and he is taught three things only: to ride, to use the bow, and to speak the truth.

Men are most virile and most attractive between the ages of 35 and 55. Under 35 a man has too much to learn, and I don’t have time to teach him.

I don’t worry about a number. I’m fine with aging.

Education is a liberating force, and in our age it is also a democratizing force, cutting across the barriers of caste and class, smoothing out inequalities imposed by birth and other circumstances.

Do not bandy words with your father, nor treat him as a dotard, nor reproach the old man, who has cherished you, with his age.

Times change. The vices of your age are stylish today.

What could be more beautiful than a dear old lady growing wise with age? Every age can be enchanting, provided you live within it.